The Sunday Mail
Sports Reporter
THOSE involved in junior football development should move away from organising “must-win” tournaments and embrace football festivals, former Zimbabwe and Motor Action left-back Allan Johnson has said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the inaugural two-day festival organised by Legends Football Academy in the capital last weekend, Johnson, who now scouts for talent and works with some agents to arrange trials for young players abroad, said tournaments made it difficult for young players to fully express themselves.
Scouts, he said, were interested in a player’s consistency.
Johnson was part of a cast of former players, who included former Zimbabwe goalkeepers Gift Muzadzi and Brenna Msiska, who were at the weekend’s two-day fiesta.
The festival included academies such as Real Betis, BJM, MAJESA and Green Stars.
“I think these festivals are good . . . The games are short and constant, and present us with an opportunity to see how consistent a player is,” Johnson said.
“If you are playing every team at a festival and there is no do-or-die (encounters), it helps the boys to relax and express themselves, which is what we want.”
On the contrary, tournaments, which have individual and team awards, he said, exert undue pressure on young players.
“One of the biggest problems we have when recruiting is trying to get the players to relax . . .
“But with most of the tournaments, it gets tense because every game is a must-win.”
Johnson believes national team selectors could also use festivals to pick their squads.
ZIFA technical director Wilson Mutekede said the association is seriously considering pushing for festivals to weed out age cheating, which has been rampant at youth tournaments and school competitions.
“You see football being played in the right atmosphere at a festival, which is conducive for learning. I think that is the best way to go,” he said.
During last week’s football festival, each match lasted 30 minutes.
Saturday was reserved for the Under-17 teams, while the Under-19 sides played the following day.
Individual and team accolades were avoided.
“A festival is high tempo and extremely competitive but allows players to express themselves with less of the tournament stress. It also allows all teams to play each team,” said Legends Football Academy director Farai Dhliwayo.
“It also helps players to prepare for trials because the games are short.”
It is also thought that festivals help overcome age cheating.
“The festival also does away with age cheating because there is no prize money, no promises from scouts and no individual prizes, so kids were just showcasing what they can do without those pressures.”
Legends Football Academy are considered as being among the leading lights in local football development.
ZIFA now has a software that facilitates the registration and tracking of players in local football academies.
