The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
THE Warriors’ starting line-up for their 2019 African Cup of Nations opening game against hosts Egypt in June had five key players who trace their roots to various academies dotted across Zimbabwe.
This underlies the role of the schools of excellence in the search for the country’s next big stars.
Khama Billiat and Knowledge Musona are the emblem of Aces Youth Soccer Academy’s perennial contribution to football development in the country.
Versatile midfielder Marshal Munetsi, who now plies his trade in the French Ligue 1 with Reims, is a product of Ali Sundowns, a Mabvuku academy owned by football enthusiast, Desmond Ali.
Teenage Hadebe, the towering centre back who is now based in Turkey, as well as Marvelous Nakamba, Zimbabwe’s high profile player following his move to English Premier League side Aston Villa, are both products of ex-Highlanders coach Methembe Ndlovu’s famed Bantu Rovers.
Giant goalkeeper George Chigova and Tafadzwa Kutinyu, who were also part of the 23-men squad for the Afcon finals, went through the mill at Aces Academy while Kuda Mahachi, who played a cameo role in the last game against DR Congo, also came out of the Bantu Rovers football oven.
While most Premier Soccer League teams have struggled to sustain their junior teams, the academies have taken over the mantle of development.
However, despite all their efforts, the academies have been crying foul that they are getting a raw deal from Zifa, who haven’t been offering them any financial or moral support.
A number of academy directors and coaches who spoke to The Sunday Mail Sport last week castigated the association for failing to support their development initiatives in the country, despite getting support from Fifa, through the Fifa Forward Fund.
Last year, the Fifa Congress increased the instalments for the 2019 to 2022 cycle to US$6 million.
Aces Youth Soccer Academy director Nigel Munyati argued that Zifa is actually milking his institution through the 15 percent levy for every international transfer involving their products.
“We have been established for the past 18 years but we have never received anything from Zifa. They have never visited us to see what we are doing.
“All they do is claim the 15 percent for every international transfer involving our products. So it means Zifa actually gets money from us, yet they have never done anything for us.
“Fifa is sending money for development, which never finds its way to the intended beneficiaries,” Munyati said.
Chairman of the Challenge Football League (CFL), Farai Dhliwayo, who is also a director at Legends Academy, is also not amused with Zifa’s lack of support.
He says academies are playing a crucial role in providing a platform for talented players between the ages of 18 and 21 to express themselves.
“As the Challenge Football League, we are filling a critical gap for players between the ages of 18 and 21 who have not yet fully developed.
“We are all registered academies and are happy to work with Zifa. However, it seems like development activities are not a priority.
“I recently visited Spain and France. lt was absolutely shocking to note the ease at which even minor academies there can access resources from their associations.
“The CFL has officially written to Zifa twice this year. We have been seeking resource support for our running project but we have not received any response,” revealed Dhliwayo.
Beki Nyoni’s BN Academy is also facing the same predicament.
“We have not received any funding or equipment, although we are fully registered with them (Zifa),” lamented Nyoni.
“What we only get are clearance letters, especially when going with the boys outside the country.”
Galaxy Academy head coach Fungai Kamwaza urged Zifa to concentrate more on grassroots football development.
“We are in our 11th year now but to be honest, nothing has come from Zifa,” said Kamwaza.
“Ever since we started, we have been paying whatever fees that are due to Zifa but the truth is that we are getting nothing from them.
“Zifa is always getting Fifa grants, they should concentrate on grassroots football,” he said.
It was a similar tale from former Zimbabwe international Dickson Choto, whose DC Academy has churned out talented players, including 2012 Soccer Star of the Year, Denver Mukamba, and FC Platinum midfielder Devon Chafa.
Choto, who played professional football in Poland, feels that more needs to be done for viable development programmes.
“In terms of development in Zimbabwe, we are far behind. We are not doing much because all the focus is on the national teams.
“For us to have a better national team, we should start on developmental sides.
“In order for the programs to succeed, there is need for financial backing. ln preparing the players, you take into account what they eat or what they do during resting times. Therefore you need money,” Choto said.
Zifa technical director Wilson Mutekede said he was away on a study vacation and therefore could not shed light on how the association is handling the academies.
“A number of academies have collected registration forms from the office, more are still collecting. I am on study vacation so the exact numbers can be obtained from those in the office,” said Mutekede.
However, sources said there are 12 registered academies on Zifa’s books.
