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Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
TEAM Zimbabwe UK have roped in legendary Zimbabwean goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar as head of scouting operations.
The former Liverpool and ex-Warriors goalkeeper has been tasked with assisting the organisation harness the football talent that is abounding in the diaspora for possible national team duty.
“We are pleased to announce the appointment of Bruce Grobbelaar as our head of scouting operations from the 1st of December 2021.
“Grobbelaar will be working closely with the coaching department to identify outstanding Zimbabwean football talent that will be included in our development squad in preparation for national duty,” said the statement from Team Zimbabwe UK.
Team Zimbabwe UK has been at the forefront of identifying talented young Zimbabwean players in the diaspora and trying to integrate them with the national teams back home.
They have met with considerable success after convincing the likes of Tendayi Darikwa, Alec Mudimu, David Moyo, Jordan Zemura, Brendan Galloway, Jonathan Fabisch and Admiral Muskwe to come back home and play for Zimbabwe.
There are many other upcoming talents that have been identified for the future and these include Leicester City development forward Tawanda Maswanhise, Ethan Kachosa of Sunderland, Isaac Mabaya of Liverpool and Jimiel Chikukwa of Watford.
Team Zimbabwe UK believe they could be more untapped talent in the UK. They are looking to tap into Grobbelaar’s experience and the contacts he has made in his many years of service.
“We all have great respect for Grobbelaar’s professionalism and patriotism to serve his country. Bruce will be responsible for helping to bring Zimbabwean football talents from various markets across the Diaspora and advising the Zimbabwe National Team technical department of the players ready to be considered for national team duty.
“Grobbelaar experience in identifying and nurturing football talent will be essential in this role. His vast experience in football-related roles and key contacts around the globe will be valuable to the organisation.
“It is our job to ensure that Team Zimbabwe UK, a community interest company, has the best possible personnel at the right department.
“We believe Grobbelaar is a highly competent and enthusiastic coach who will help our organisation achieve our goals. Team Zimbabwe UK seeks to bridge the gaps between unknown Zimbabwean talent across Europe, groom them for national teams assignments from Under-17, Under-20, Under-23 and the senior national team.”
Grobbelaar had a successful career in football and has also worked for the game in other capacities, mainly as coach and scout.
The 64-year-old won 32 caps for Zimbabwe between 1980 and 1998. He played for Liverpool between 1980 and 1994. He won six league titles, three FA Cup winner’s medals, three Football League Cup winner’s medals and a European Cup winner’s medal with the European giants.
Towards the end of his career, Grobbelaar had a brief stint as the player-coach of the Zimbabwe national team.
Following his retirement, he had coaching stints in South Africa and Canada and has worked as a Liverpool club ambassador and a performance consultant for Norwegian second-tier outfit, Øygarden FK. Recently he expressed interest in taking over the reins as Warriors coach.
Online Reporter