When a 10-year-old boy saved football careers

Langton Nyakwenda

WHEN a door closes, another one opens.

This is a quote often used by psychologists, especially during counselling sessions, in a bid to encourage optimism when dealing with adversity.

And for some former Goromonzi High School footballers, this quote is apt.

Just when they were bracing for a disaster, following the school’s decision to abandon a scholarship programme that catered for financially challenged students, a silver lining came shining through the dark cloud.

Sometime last year, several footballers at the school nearly dropped out of school, and amongst the group were those preparing for Ordinary Level examinations.

Most of these junior footballers also trained with a local academy, Green Buffaloes, which also happened to be the same football nursery for a certain 10-year-old boy.

It was this boy who triggered a connection that would lead to a rescue plan for the beleaguered players.

When Gabriel Mutangadura told his dad, Simbabarashe, about this plight, an idea that led to the formation of a Division Two club was born.

Dream Catchers FC are now preparing to make their debut in the ZIFA Harare Province’s Division 2A League and will use Churchill High School as their base.

League chairman, Richard Tembo, is excited about the arrival of this club, which has a touching history.

“Yes, we can confirm that Dream Catchers will be playing in the ZIFA Harare Province Division 2A and they will use Churchill High School,” said Tembo.

Dream Catchers founder, Mutangadura, gets so emotional when he narrates the journey he travelled with his boys.

“The first time I went to watch my son play for the academy, they had trouble with transport and had very little equipment.

“They would go for matches where you would see the young boys tired and hungry after matches while facing transport challenges,” revealed Mutangadura.

“My son then said dad, let’s help these boys, and that was it.”

Mutangadura adopted the Academy, changed its name to Dream Catchers but as time went, another problem emerged.

“I then discovered that Goromonzi High School had cut all the scholarships for the football players and it also happened that the bulk of them also played for our Academy.

“Some of them came to me for assistance and I then decided to lend a helping hand to help them finish school.

“Since most of them were writing their O’ Levels, I even helped by paying for holiday lessons, school fees and giving them accommodation at my house plus meals and transport,” revealed Mutangadura.

Towards the end of 2023, the idea to form a Division Two side was mooted as most of the players who had written their exams wanted to continue playing organized football.

“The boys came to me and insisted they wanted to play football, that’s how I started pushing for the formation of Dream Catchers FC.”

The club also held trials and discovered more talent not only from Goromonzi but from Harare’s high density suburbs and Chitungwiza.

“We now have a great crop of players, good quality. We are also mindful of age and our cap is 21 years,” says Mutangadura.

Some of the players from the club expected to shine in Harare Province’s Division 2A include defensive midfielder Arnold Dube (21), attacking midfielder Douglas Zvotovenga (17) and 20-year-old right winger Shelton Kureva.

“I formed this team to create a brotherhood and oneness to always help anyone in need and to keep the boys away from doing anything that would jeopardize their future.

“At Dream Catchers we focus on getting our boys to become better with life skills, academics and sport. We want to groom and prepare them for higher professional leagues locally and abroad.

“In the process we should build a good reputation where every parent will feel comfortable sending their children to our institution,” Mutangadura explained.

Just like any other lower league side, Dream Catchers also dreams of playing in the Premier Soccer League.

But for now Dream Catchers coach Kitso Chibwe has to pit his wits against opponents such as Mabvuku United, BN Academy, Dynamos Juniors, Ali Sundowns, and Inno Cosmos.