Andrew
Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
BARRING age-cheating allegations against Dynamos, the inaugural Marvelous Nakamba Foundation (MNF) Invitational Under-17 Tournament held in Bulawayo recently might have been the spark needed to re-ignite junior football development.
Although only eight teams – Highlanders, Chicken Inn, Njube, Hwange Dynamo, Ajax Hotspur, Albun, Dynamos and winners Manicaland Juniors of Excellence Soccer Academy (Majesa) – took part at the inaugural tourney, a survey by The Sunday Mail Sport shows that a lot more is now happening at grassroots level across the country.
There has been an upsurge in the number of academies, with the country now boasting over 55 football nurseries, while fresh junior football structures have been established in areas such as Hurungwe, Bulilima, Lupane, Binga, Sanyati, Gokwe and Chipinge.
Despite the age-fraud investigation hanging above his head, Lloyd Chigowe has been part of the Zimbabwe Junior Football Development League (ZJFDL) that has been spearheading the creation of structures across the country. He has been working with Hwange legend Weekly Mwale, former Warriors goalkeeper Chenjerai Dube and ex-CAPS United defender James Bvumbi.
More former players, who include ex-Mwana Africa and Monomotapa ace Daniel Kamunenga, Asani Nhongo and Tawanda Munyanduri, have also been heavily involved in laying the foundation for the revival of grassroots football.
Kamunenga, who also featured for Ngezi Platinum Stars, is part of the Mhondoro-Ngezi junior football committee, while Nhongo and Munyanduri are actively involved in Shurugwi and Kariba, respectively.
ZIFA acting president Gift Banda has since emphasised the need to revive the country’s junior structures.
The local soccer governing body’s technical director, Wilson Mutekede, has been tasked to come up with a football philosophy for the country that will be adopted at junior level.
“The ZIFA board has a vision and, like we said, president Gift Banda has come in very refreshingly strong in terms of us focusing on junior football.
“Firstly, we need to make sure our provinces have structures in place that are going to make sure junior football is pushed,” Mutekede said.
He attended the MNF tournament at White City in Bulawayo and was left inspired after watching some promising young players in action. “That tournament was very beneficial; I think it’s a tournament that helped set the tone in terms of the need for us to be more active in junior football.
“That is the way to go in terms of reviving our junior football activities as well as our quest to make sure we are up there as far as domestic competition in youth football is concerned.”
Majesa, who are owned by Charles Chave and have former Nottingham Forest player Dexter Blacstock as their ambassador, beat Highlanders in the final.
Blackstock, who also turned out for Queens Park Rangers and Southampton, attended the MNF tournament.
For Mutekede, the rise in academies and junior projects is an indication of a revival that is currently underway.
“We are seeing an upsurge in terms of academies wanting to register in the country.
“Remember, the last list that was released had only 39 academies, but right now as I speak, we are in excess of 55 academies, with more wanting to register.
“We also need to make sure that coaches in these academies are qualified and the academies are administered properly. There is a document that we are finalising, which regulates academies.”
Majesa, who are coached by former Motor Action player Samson Kabwe, contributed nine players to the select squad that was compiled with Nakamba’s input.
Goalkeeper Tafadzwa Magadu, exciting left winger Norest Mazemo and midfielder Prosper Padera were some of the players who caught Nakamba’s eye.
“The tournament was a very good thing, especially for us youngsters rising through the ranks in academies.
“Playing in a tournament that was organised by an English Premier Soccer League-based player, Marvelous Nakamba, was an honour. The fact that Nakamba himself was there inspired us a lot,” said Padera.
Chave believes Manicaland junior football is on the recovery path.
“The whole of Manicaland is happy about our progress. We have a lot of kids who want to join our academy.
“We have the capacity to produce the next Willard Katsandes and the Arubis (Washington),” he said.
There are also some fresh junior structures in Hurungwe West, Zvimba, Chinhoyi, Shamva, Mazowe, Guruve, Victoria Falls, Binga, Redcliff, Zvishavane, Gokwe, Kwekwe, Gweru, Lupane, Hwange and Chimanimani.
Structures are also in place in Chipinge, Mutasa, Makoni, Beitbridge, Mutare, Insiza, Gwanda, Bulilima, Norton and Chegutu, where former Motor Action player Enasio Perezo is a member of the committee.
Mutasa District junior football committee vice chairperson John Tarumbwa gave a glimpse of what has been happening there.
“We have been working with the National Association of Primary School Heads (NAPH) and the National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) so that we establish vibrant junior structures here.
“I am glad to say the structure is in place and the clubs are ready to participate.
“We are getting assistance from local businessmen and we even have some juniors playing at ward level.
“We should be starting the league anytime; the teams are in place and what is left is for us to officially start,” said Tarumbwa.
Online Reporter