Online Reporter
A local football academy, Africa Elite Academy, in conjunction with Africa Football Trials Pvt (AFT), is set to hold a five-day training camp in Harare.
The event has been set for December 16 to 20.
AFT chairman Gift Mabvudza said the trials were meant to give opportunities to talented players from different backgrounds.
“We want to create a platform for talented African players, giving them the opportunity to fulfil their dreams of playing football at the highest level,” he said.
“It is very expensive for our kids, especially in Africa, to get exposure. We do not have the resources to be able to fly our kids to Europe to attend these camps.”
The trial camp will comprise six age groups, 13-14 years, 14-15 years, 15-16 years, 16-17 years, and 18-21 years.
“Worldwide a lot of talented players never get the opportunity to be scouted by international scouts or even local scouts because they live in the most remote areas of their countries or come from disadvantaged communities,” said Mabvudza.
“As AFT we want to be the link between upcoming African players, scouts, professional and semi-professional clubs and bridge the gap between the developed countries and Africa in respect of football development.”
How will the trials work?
Mabvudza said the trials will be held over five days with the first three days dedicated to training.
During this period scouts and coaches will select at least 24 players from each of the available age groups.
“On the fourth and fifth day the selected players will be engaged in a game situation under video with personalized numbers which will be used for identification,” he said.
“The videos will then be sent to the UK Football Trials and clubs where the scouts will have a look at the footage and if they are interested in a player they will revert back to us and we will then send a player for further trials there.”
