adminFOOTBALL is no country for old men. This statement has been used so many times with fans and pundits arguing that the younger the better, simply because players are dispensable commodities. I am no fan of English club Liverpool, but I must say I have been impressed with their new lease of life, whether or not a certain prophet has prophesied that their glory days are back. However, in that line-up, I have so much respect for captain Stephen Gerrard, and I make it a habit to follow what sportsmen of his calibre say about the beautiful game.
In turning around the fortunes of Liverpool, the club brought in a number of players to breathe some fresh air into the dressing room, and when Gerrard was asked if younger players were always the best to buy, he said:
“I disagree with it, to be honest. I’ve seen many signings throughout the world who have gone to clubs at the age of 28, 29 or even older and done fantastic jobs. If Chelsea don’t keep Frank Lampard and another big club comes and gets him and he produces top attacking midfield performances for the next two years, they’ll regret it.
What is he, 34? I can understand the policy that everyone wants young, bright, British players. I can understand it. But I don’t agree with it 100 per cent, that it should be the only way. I think you’ve got to add experience to young gifted players. At this level you need experience as well.”
An UK daily also went on to narrate some players who were signed presumably well beyond their sell by dates but still managed to do the business for the club, with special focus on Liverpool. The paper called them the “Super-annuated Reds”- Liverpool signings over the age of 24.
It talked of Gary McAllister, signed from Coventry at 35. The Bosman arrived at Liverpool in 2000 and helped the club to five trophies. There was also goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, from Feyenoord, who at aged 28, joined the club in 2001 and played 184 times and was part of 2005 Champions League triumph.
There was also Kenny Dalglish who was signed from Celtic at 26 in 1977 and went on to become a Liverpool legend, before two spells as manager. Graeme Souness was signed from Middlesbrough at 25 and went on to win five league titles and three European Cups with Reds after 1978 arrival and later on returned as manager.
There was also mention of Sami Hyypia, signed from Willem II, at 25. The Finnish centre-back became a cult hero at Anfield after arriving in 1999 and played over 300 games. Last but not least, there was mention of Liverpool’s man of the moment, Luis Suarez, who was signed from Ajax as a 24-year old in 2011 and is the most paid player at the club.
Back home, after indifferent seasons, Highlanders had to turn to Innocent Mapuranga to stabilise their defence when the former Railstars player was already looking at life after playing football. In the following seasons, the club also went for seasoned players in the mould of Mthulisi Maphosa, Bhekimpilo Ncube, Masimba Mambare and goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya and the good old glory days were back at Emagumeni.
The trend in the local league has been that teams promoted from Division One just visit the Premiership for one season and then they get relegated. A closer look at those teams will show that they would not have bolstered their squads with hardened fighters to stand the heat in the top league, like they say, experience is the best teacher.
It is behind that background that How Mine managed to survive the storm in their first season in the Premiership and even went on to reach the cup final of the country’s premier knock out competition and will this year play in the continental Caf Confederation Cup, following in the footsteps of FC Platinum who played continental football in the second year of their flirtation in the top league.
How Mine might have been new in the league, but the bulk of the players were not new to the hustle and bustle of the big league. They had been there before with a number of clubs, some of them much bigger than How Mine where expectations were high. Talk of Gilbert Banda and Herbert Dick, two former national team centre backs who have played for a big club like Highlanders.
There was also midfielder Menard Mupera, Thembani Masuku, Timothy January, Brighton Dube as well as Khumbulani Banda. On paper, they were a strong side that could square up against anyone in the league, taking a cue from another city team, Chicken Inn who went for experience once they got promoted into the top league to safeguard themselves against the tough terrain that at times can be too rough for green horns.
The club has been referred to as the old people’s home after announcing their squad for the Caf tournament a few days ago with a number of players who have seen it all finding their way to the club from a number of clubs in Bulawayo and Harare.
How Mine start their African Safari against Chuoni FC of Zanzibar in February in the preliminary round and have brought in more experienced players like Tendai Ngulube, a Bulawayo star who grew up at Highlanders juniors, made a name at Njube Sundowns together with Thabani Kamusoko in that magnificent midfielder partnership before moving to Harare where he joined Monomotopa and later Harare City, where he however, did not get game time last season.
There is also former Monomotapa talisman Kuda Musharu, former Black Rhinos forward Nicholas Alifandika, Courage Denias from Triangle, Marvel Samaneka from Caps United and George Magariro, who has played for the likes of Dynamos and Caps United. There was also room in the 12 new signings for green horns like Aces Youth Academy goalkeeper Donovan Bernard.
Perhaps borrowing from Gerrard, How Mine coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube (it sounds incomplete if you do not include his nickname . . . kikiki) had to defend his club policy of going for the tried and tested players. He was taken to task at a daily, noting that he has some of the oldest players in the league, Dick (36), Gilbert (31), Brighton Choto (32), Menard Mupera (33) and Ephraim Mazarura (30), among others.
There were also additions with ages on the other side like Magariro, who is aged 32, Ngulube (27), Denias (27) and Samaneka (29).
“Why are we concerned about age when it comes to Zimbabwean football? What is funny when a team signs a 27 or 28 year-old? Does that mean anyone above 30 years is not supposed to be playing football in our local league?
“In European leagues Ryan Giggs, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard are some of the players who are still going strong yet they are over 30 years old. Such players have a bright career for the next three or four seasons and that’s why their respective clubs keep them.
That is the situation the world over, why should we abandon our ageing players in the local league? As long as their legs carry them, they should be given a chance to harness their talents.”
Beefy actually believes the seasoned players will be better placed to compete in the African Safari.
“Given the platform of playing in Africa, such players will add the much needed depth to my team. I believe such players will be helpful to the youngsters. I have signed three players who are in my Under-20 member squad so far. They will have their chance and merging them with experience is excellent,” he told H-Metro.
The How Mine coach added that clubs were forcing players to alter their ages so that they remain young on paper so as to be signed by other clubs.
“Honestly, players are left with no option than to adjust their age. I have heard of several coaches who do not sign players above 25 years. That forces players to cheat and adjust their ages.”
One writer said; “We should learn from our, as well as experiences of others. Life is brief — a little hope, a little dream and then goodnight”. In this short span of life we should therefore, not only learn from our own experience but should also profit from the experience of others.
This would save us from many a pitfall and the unnecessary labour that goes with it, which is akin to “inventing the wheel.”
And turning to the local league, with this kind of squad, How Mine look set to be fighting for the top this time around. For comments and contributions email [email protected]. You can also follow this writer on Twitter and Facebook.
Online Reporter