The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
FORMER Soccer Star of the Year, Stewart “Shutto” Murisa, believes Zimbabwean football can make huge strides if authorities tap into the abundant talent laden in rural communities.
Now a junior football coach, Murisa feels urban-based junior players have an unfair advantage over their rural counterparts.
Murisa benefited from Wieslaw Grabowski’s scouting system back in the 1990s and rose to become one of the most feared strikers in the local football premiership.
He won the Soccer Star of the Year award in 1996, after helping CAPS United to their first topflight championship since Independence.
“For long, football players based in the rural areas have been neglected, yet we have abundant talent there,” Murisa said.
The former Dynamos and Highlanders player will grace the annual KB Kanyongo Football Tournament to be held at Kanyongo Shopping Centre, about 17 km west of Mutoko Centre, on October 21.
“I am glad to be part of this event because I am a firm believer in junior football development especially in the previously marginalised areas.
“We need more of these tournaments, as they give juniors a good chance to showcase their talent in front of influential people,” Murisa said.
The KB Kanyongo tournament has in the past attracted several top coaches, including former Dynamos gaffer Tonderai Ndiraya, Laban Kandi and Naison Muchekela.
“Credit goes to the Kanyongo family for coming up with this brilliant idea. One day we will talk about a player who was discovered at this tournament.”
In 2021, Ndiraya identified three players at the tournament – Charles Katsande, Tinotendaishe Nyamanzi and Hilton Nyamakope – who had a rare chance of training with DeMbare.
Eight teams are taking part in this year’s tournament, which kick started with group games on September 2.
Kanyongo FC, Nyadire United, Zisengwe, Gumbure, Star City, Karonga, Dip FC and Chingondo were placed into two groups with the top teams qualifying for the final on October 21.
The tournament is the brainchild of the Kanyongo family members who were born and raised in Mutoko.
