Chronicle Editor
Lovemore Dube
FORMER Premier Soccer League coach, Philani Mabhena has echoed Thulani Sibanda’s sentiments that there is abundant talent in the lower rungs of football.
A few weeks ago Sibanda, the Bulawayo Chiefs coach explained how he has successfully kept on rebuilding his side. He shared his secret of profiling and tracking lower division players until he is convinced that he has found the best talent.
Sibanda has shone in that regard and has identified and nurtured gems like Mthokozisi Msebe, Never Rauzhi and Malvin Mkolo. Mabhena is coaching high-riding Eagle Life FC in the Zifa Bulawayo Province Division Two.
“I am currently involved with development of football at a lower level, I am currently coaching Eagle Life in the Second Division.
“Believe me there is massive talent there. It makes me understand what coach Thulani Sibanda is doing at Bulawayo Chiefs, I understand him fully when he says there is so much talent in the First and Second Division and that those who want to leave, at whatever time may do so,” said Mabhena who has had stints at Chicken Inn, Highlanders and How Mine.
Mabhena said Sibanda is always comforted by the fact that there are so many good players in the lower rungs waiting to be identified and developed. He said in the past big clubs went to lower division clubs to unearth gems and gave an example of Alexander Maseko who was plucked from lower division side, Vikings.
“I will give you an example of one big player, Alexander Maseko, he came from the lower division and Ernest Maphepha (Sibanda) may his soul rest in peace,” said Mabhena. Sibanda joined Highlanders in 1979 from Second Division side, Contex.
He said it was common in the past to get Highlanders and other clubs playing friendlies as early as January exhibiting new arrivals and getting them to be passed as good by the club’s supporters without the weight of expectation on their shoulders.
Mabhena said nowadays Premier Soccer League coaches preferred the “ripe and ready” to use players because of the pressure of trying to retain their jobs. “I believe the pressure is too much on them, at times they do not have the patience. Back then the system had a reserve league, you would watch them there,” he said.
Mabhena challenged coaches to cast their eyes on Plumtree Wanderers, East Rovers, Concob, Nust and his Eagle Life in the Bulawayo Province Division Two. Today’s Division Two exhibits very young and promising talent unlike in the past when over 35s dominated the scene because the teams were company-sponsored.
The model then was recreation for employees and their communities, unlike today’s business thrust where companies want teams to be stand-alone units producing players for sale.
Online Reporter