The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
ZIFA’s technical director Wilson Mutekede has commended owners of Amaveni Football Academy in Kwekwe for establishing a football nursery.
Mutekede toured the academy’s facilities in Amaveni suburb on Sunday.
The academy is yet to be regularised by ZIFA.
“I managed to travel to Kwekwe to assess Amaveni (Football) Academy … When we do the assessment, we look at the infrastructure and structure of the academy,” Mutekede told The Sunday Mail Online.
“They have a good pitch, as they have improved Amaveni Stadium. It’s looking decent compared to how it was. But they need to improve on manpower and rope in more qualified coaches.”
Former Air Zimbabwe Jets goalkeeper Shaiso Chiduku is the academy’s coach.
“We are glad that we have made progress insofar as meeting the standards is concerned,” Chiduku said.
“Our goal is to revive junior football development in Kwekwe. Remember, back then, Kwekwe used to boast a number of good players because the production line of players was vibrant.
“We even used to have Premier Soccer League teams like Lancashire Steel and Chrome Stars, but today we do not even have a single team in the top-flight.
“So, we believe Amaveni Academy will play its role in reviving junior development.”
Kwekwe has produced quite a number of good players over the years.
James Takavada (the 1984 Soccer Star of the Year), Paul Gundani (late), Benedict “Grinder” Moyo, Frank Mkanga and the late Ephraim Dzimbiri came from Kwekwe.
Kennedy Nagoli (who played for Santos in Brazil), Nesbert Gwede, Godfrey Tamirepi, Shadreck Malunga, Petros Sibanda, Washington Arubi, Steven Alimenda and Justice Majabvi were also nurtured in Kwekwe.
More academies are being founded in the Midlands town.
Former Highlanders striker Simbarashe Gate now runs the Simbarashe Gate Academy, while ex-Gunners player Thanks Tengwe is involved at Football Academy Kwekwe.
