Zifa push for PSL reserve league for junior development

Tadious Manyepo, Zimpapers Sports Hub

ZIFA have placed renewed focus on junior development, with the association set to hold talks with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) on the proposed introduction of a PSL Reserve League this year. The development would require all Premier Soccer League clubs to have an Under 18 reserve side participating in the competition.

Zimpapers Sports Hub understands that sponsorship for the project has been secured and that formal engagements with key stakeholders, including the PSL, are expected to begin shortly. Zifa has acknowledged that junior development structures across the football system have deteriorated, and efforts by the PSL to compel clubs to register a minimum of five players under the age of 20 have not translated into meaningful game time. As a result, young players are often deprived of competitive football and fail to progress.

Zifa is moving to address the issue.

A source at Zifa said yesterday: “As Zifa, we want to create a clear talent pathway where youngsters will fit seamlessly without disrupting the order at elite level. Junior football development is the hallmark of a good football ecosystem. Imagine having a team in the top leagues that has an average age of say 29.

They do so well in two or three successive seasons but their standard falls down in the fourth or fifth year. “It’s because there is no continuity or juniors coming in directly to replace those who would be retiring. The reason is that the juniors won’t be adequately prepared to start playing at the highest level.

That is because there isn’t a deliberate plan to have a proper junior league.

“As Zifa, we already have a plan at Under 14 and Under 16 levels for both genders in the upcoming Zifa Presidential Challenge Cup. But there is also the Under 18 age group which needs to be ushered into senior football.

“That’s the reason why we have said we will be meeting the PSL to propose having an Under 18 Reserve League running under the same wingers as the senior players. Continues on www.chronicle.co.zw

We believe that way will be beneficial in terms of developing the future stars. We are saying every Premier Soccer League team should have an Under 18 reserve team that plays in the Reserve League which will be a well-sponsored tournament.”

Premiership clubs previously operated reserve teams, which produced players such as former Dynamos midfielder Desmond Maringwa, but those systems collapsed over time. Many clubs now focus exclusively on their senior sides and do not run junior structures.

Currently, only Ngezi Platinum Stars, FC Platinum, Highlanders and Manica Diamonds have reserve teams competing in Division One, the country’s second tier league.

Zifa wants Zimbabwe to follow models used in countries such as England and South Africa.

In England, top flight clubs have reserve sides competing in the Premier League Reserve League, where Zimbabwe internationals including Jordan Zemura and Tawanda Maswanhise previously featured.

In South Africa, junior development has improved significantly since the creation of the DStv Diski Challenge in 2014, producing players such as Percy Tau, Keagan Dolly, Siyabonga Ngezana and Lyle Foster.