dyton mupawaenda
Zimbabwe is gearing up to host the CAF African Schools Championship COSAFA Qualifier from December 14-16, a welcome return to a nation that has a rich history of staging international events in the Southern African region.
Zimbabwe has previously played host to both the men’s and women’s senior COSAFA championships, and now take on the schools’ qualifier after Malawi had successfully staged the inaugural event in 2022.
But outside of staging a world-class event, they will also want to see both their boys’ and girls’ teams excel on the field as they seek to book a place at the continental finals next year.
Zimbabwe did not participate last year, so this will be their debut and they are hoping to feature the best of their schools talent.
A tweak to the regulations this year allows countries to enter the best of the footballers on display at their national qualifiers, rather than a single winning school, as happened in 2022.
That means Zimbabwe, and all other entrants, can take the cream of the crop to the event. “We are in the process of recruiting coaches for both the boys and girls Under-15 national teams,” says Zimbabwe’s FIFA Forward Manager Kudzai Chitima.
Zimbabwe will no doubt be able to put together formidable sides in both competitions, the country has long been a hotbed of talent for the region and it will be fascinating to see what the new generation looks like.
Chitima says the CAF African Schools Championship is a vital stage for young players in the country. “It gives an opportunity for players to be scouted, thereby creating different player pathways,” he said.
There is no doubt there will be plenty of scouts on hand in Harare to see the talent on display. But the championship is also about much more than what happens on the pitch and it is a chance for youngsters to mingle with their peers from the region, and learn some valuable skills.
“We hope they learn life-skills off the pitch, but on it the championship is important for the training hours they will receive and talent Identification and creation of different player pathways,” Chitima says.
All the boys and girls at the event will be taken through safeguarding activities at some to not only provide them with information on the social impact of football, but also explain the measures that CAF have put in place to create a safe environment for the children. — COSAFA Media
Online Reporter