Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub
GAMES in the newly founded Tshabalala-Sizinda Grassroots Soccer League (TSGSL), are set to kick off this Friday across various venues in Bulawayo’s high-density suburbs of Tshabalala and Sizinda.
The league’s launch marks a major step forward in efforts to get local youngsters off the streets and into structured sport.
Spearheading this initiative to revive youth football in the two suburbs is the Tshabalala/Sizinda Old School Association, whose steering committee includes Charles Masaku (chairman), Themba Phiri (vice-chairman), Marko Ncube (secretary), Denis Tshuma (assistant secretary), Sifelani Mlalazi (treasurer) and Roy Phiri, who also serves as the TSGSL secretary-general.
The league comprises 14 teams — including Tshabalala Pirates, Sizinda Pirates, New Airport, Tshabalona, River Plate, Gugulethu FC, Flame Stars, Israelite, La Masia, Tshabalala Warriors, Sizinda United, Metric A FC, Zebra Revolution, and Metric B FC — and caters for Under-10 and Under-12 boys.
“We’re delighted to confirm that the league will kick off on Friday, April 11. It’s a grassroots league and we’re encouraging parents to let the children come, play and express themselves. It’s all about helping them enjoy the game,” said Phiri.
He added:
“We are trying to keep the youngsters out of the streets. We believe this is a powerful way to help fight drug and substance abuse.”
Tshabalala and Sizinda boast a proud football heritage, having produced a string of notable names who went on to represent Zimbabwe or play at the highest level, including Jimmy Phiri, Ephraim Mwale, Charles Chunda, Chris Chunda, Disco Masina, Fortune Mabhilingwane, Charles Ndebele, Francis Manda, Joe Kode, Josphat Humbasha, Jonita Phiri, Luiz Ferreira, Maneru Zulu, Master Masiku, Stephen Sibanda, Gideon and Mtewa Masiku, among many others.
The suburbs also gave rise to football figures such as Survival Tshabalala, Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu, Mthulisi Maphosa, Bruce Kangwa, Felix Chindungwe, Gilbert Banda, Melusi Ndebele, Doctor Melusi Sibanda, Norman Moyo, Friday Phiri, Patrick Ncube, Shamiso Nyoni, Peter and Stanley Kaviza, Kenneth Mathe, Edward Tembo, Tafireyi Tembo, Tutani Moyo, Thomas Chimenya, Yona Malunga, Shepherd Mandiwanzira and Mkhokheli Dube.
The TSGSL project also has international support, with Njabulo Khumalo leading the UK Chapter and a South African Chapter already in place.
TSGSL Week One Fixtures (Under-10 and Under-12 Boys):
Sizinda Pirates vs New Airport – Sizinda Ground
Tshabalala Pirates vs Tshabalona FC – Indlovu Ground
River Plate vs Gugulethu FC – Mambo Ground
Flame Stars vs Israelite FC – Nkulumane Library Ground
La Masia FC vs Tshabalala Warriors – Tshabalala Extension
Sizinda United vs Metric A FC – Sizinda Ground
Zebra Revolution vs Metric B FC – Sizinda Ground
— @FungaiMuderere
