Online Reporter
Collin Matiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER CAPS United striker Innocent Mugabe says he believes this year’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Scottland have changed the face of the Zimbabwean game.
Mugabe, who is now based in Basingstoke, England, also described the decision by Scottland owner, Pedzisayi “Scott” Sakupwanya, to build a stadium in Harare’s high-density suburb of Mabvuku as a noble idea which must be backed by all the key stakeholders of local football.
Legislator and Harare businessman Sakupwanya wants to develop Mabvuku Number 1 Stadium into a modern, multi-purpose sports complex, with construction phases starting with clubhouses, pitches, and a planned 15 000-seater stadium (possibly growing to 60 000 seats later) to meet FIFA and CAF standards.
Mugabe described the project, which is aimed at bringing top-flight football and community development to Mabvuku, as massive.
The ex-Zimbabwe youth international was born and bred in Mabvuku, where he is also running a lower division team, Innocent Cosmos, and a football academy, BJM.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub from his base in England yesterday, Mugabe said the decision to build the multi-purpose sports complex in Mabvuku by Sakupwanya was a blessing for the sprawling suburb’s community.
“This is a massive project. It’s a blessing for the Mabvuku community.
“The sky is the limit for everyone in Mabvuku who want to take football as a career or hobby. Players from Mabvuku should play for Scottland on merit. So, for me it’s a very good project. “It will also keep both the boy and girl child occupied.”
Mugabe also described Mabvuku-Tafara Member of Parliament — Sakupwanya — as an unsung hero of Zimbabwean football after his investment into the game helped Scottland make history by winning the Premiership title on the first time of asking and just two years after their formation.
Scottland became only the second team after the all-conquering Black Rhinos side of 1984 to win the league title in their first season in the top-flight. They were under the guidance of Tonderai Ndiraya who has since been sacked and replaced by former Zimbabwe coach Norman Mapeza.
“The (Premier League) trophy does not only belong to Scott (Sakupwanya), but it’s for everyone involved in sport in Mabvuku.
“Having been born and bred in Mabvuku, it has always been my dream to have a Mabvuku team in the Premier League.
“You know I have Mabvuku at heart. I am an advocate for grassroots football,” Mugabe said.
Mugabe has vowed to keep supporting the Mabvuku community and encourages people across the country to support the youth in any meaningful way. He is still determined to turn his football project in Mabvuku into one of the best in Zimbabwe.
Mugabe is the brother of the late legendary former CAPS United midfielder Joe “Kode” Mugabe. He was part of the CAPS United side that finished as runners-up behind the now-defunct Black Aces in the first season of the Premier League in 1992.
In that CAPS United side, a youthful Innocent rubbed shoulders with his brother Joe, legendary goalkeeper Brenna “Baba Gari” Msiska, and Tonderai Mutambikwa who hail from Mabvuku. Black Aces were led by the “Terrible twins,” Wilfred and William Mugeyi, who are also “sons” of Mabvuku.
Another Mabvuku-based player, Albert “Dalala” Mabika, also played for Black Aces before featuring for local Premiership giants Dynamos and CAPS United in the ‘90s.
