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Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
YOUNG Flying Stars Academy (YFSA) players are set to get an opportunity to showcase their skills at a tournament in South Africa following a visit by a German football scout based in the neighbouring country.
South Africa-based Tobias Zehetleitner paid a visit to the academy last week and watched their Under-20 take on Magwegwe Nottingham on Sunday.
Zehetleitner, who is a director of the Phyllis Games, said they are ready to host Zimbabwean teams at the annual developmental sports tourney.
He revealed the tournament, held annually in December, has consistently attracted scouts from the Absa Premiership over the years and has resulted in some players moving to that league.
“The tournament presents an opportunity for exposure for local teams, travelling and playing in a different country will certainly give them a new experience they can learn from but again with the numerous scouts from various clubs around the country from the Premiership and National First Division chances of moving to SA are huge.
“I managed to watch the team (Young Flying Stars) and I think it’s a good project with hungry and passionate players who show eagerness in their play. I love the focus they exhibited and I think the structure of the project will prove beneficial in the long run as they practice frequently,” said Zehetleitner, who is also a director at Phyllis FC, a developmental academy based in Tembisa, South Africa.
The Philly’s Games were established in 1992 as a contest between two teams held in December but a superb response saw a gradual increase in the number of teams.
The Munich-born football administrator said he is using his links in Germany to provide a route to Europe for talented players.
He revealed they are grooming talent at Phyllis FC and hope to move players between the ages of 15 and 16 to Germany.
Zehetleitner said the academy is focused on enlisting the best young players and giving them the opportunity to play in Europe.
“We started the academy three years ago, we have two big sports grounds close to a school with proper physio facilities and we offer scholarships to gifted players. If we find a player in Zimbabwe that meets the qualities needed in Europe such as big physique, fast and good technical ability we will rope them in.
YFSA director, Colleen Nyambiya said they are looking forward to further interaction with Zehetleitner and hope the relationship will bear fruit in the near future.
“As an academy we are always seeking opportunities and links for the players and engaging someone with access to the European market is obviously something we believe can only bear good fruits for us in the future,” he said.
Zehetleitner, who also visited the Aces Academy in Harare, said he came to Bulawayo at the invitation of businessman Peter Mubi.
“I was invited by (local businessman) Peter Mubi to come and see the academy and working with him I believe we can unearth talent and provide opportunities for players to knock on European football doors,” he said.
Mubi said they are aiming at getting emerging players to move beyond South Africa, which has recently become the top export destination for local players.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter