Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
ONCE famous for a vibrant junior football development system that nurtured hundreds of stars, Chitungwiza had over the years faded into oblivion until last season, when the junior league was revived.
The Chitungwiza Junior Football Development League (CJFDL) is now well established and is attracting both corporate and national support.
According to the league’s spokesperson, Livingstone Manhombo, the idea is to unearth another Stewart Murisa, or another Norman Mapeza.
Murisa, who was crowned 1996 Soccer Star of the Year, and Mapeza who captained the national team, hail from the town, which also produced an array of star players including CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe, Shingi Kawondera, Murape Murape and Alois Bunjira.
They all benefited from a yesteryear sound junior development system in the dormitory town.
“We firmly believe in the transformative power of football to inspire, educate and unite,” says Manhombo.
The 2025 CJFDL season kicks off on Saturday with an Under-14 tournament at Chibuku.
ZIFA board member technical development, Tafadzwa Benza, and Lewis Muzhara who sits on the ZIFA Committee for women football development will grace the tournament.
The CJFDL has also attracted a number of sponsors including LM Auctioneers.
“Our mission is to provide a structured and supportive platform for the holistic development of children, fostering not only their football skills but also their character and life skills.
“Our objectives revolve around talent development and fostering partnership with like-minded organizations locally and internationally,” added Manhombo.
The season’s curtain raising tournament started with 22 teams and enters the quarterfinal stage on Saturday.
Zengeza Busters, Ruponeso, Marisa, Wedge, CSPRO, Excellence, Ramah and Early Birds are in the last eight.
Muzhara, who is also the chairperson of Zimbabwe Women Premier League side Correctional Queens, has called for the inclusion of girls in grassroots development.
“I always want to be associated with people who are passionate and have free flowing ideas on how they want our football to shape, so I have seen how the Chitungwiza junior league has been set up and how they want to groom our kids so that they further their talents and I said why not join them,” said Muzhara.
“Our football starts at the lower level, where we identify the talent, and if we can do that and we come in to support the vision then in the next five years I tell you we will have stars from this project and that will raise our standard of football.”
