shloboe boe
Lovemore Dube, [email protected]
ZIFA Assembly member Ndodana Masuku has described Enock Moyo as a great ambassador of Area Zone soccer.
Moyo moved from Dete where he was playing in the Rhinos Champions league to join Bikita Minerals who are in the Castle Lager Premiership before donning the Warriors colours and all this happened in just nine months.
He was among the stars of the 2023 Rhino Champions League in Hwange District.
Moyo broke into the Warriors last year after making his professional debut at Bikita Minerals.
He was until February last year, a member of Chapungu, a team from an area called Dingani in Dete which is on the edges of the giant Hwange National Park.
Chapungu and 19 other teams play in what is known as the Rhino Champions League, a soccer competition organised since 2016 to fight poaching in Hwange District.
“All has gone well. We are happy with the league’s impact in the district where over 500 youths are being kept away from social ills by engaging in soccer. The youths apart from playing soccer, are taught about animal conservation and as such are kept busy,” said Masuku, the league’s chief executive officer.
The football league concept meant to promote animal conservation has been embraced by three countries and has so far proved a hit.
Mr Masuku said plans are underway to have an international tournament involving best teams from the three countries.
He said having a player being identified for Premiership football by Bikita was a big achievement for the local league.
Masuku said Moyo’s success has inspired several rural boys who now want to take soccer as a career.
“It is pleasing to see a player from our own league flying outside the country to represent Zimbabwe and it is also a good endorsement for the Rhinos Champions League,” he said.
Masuku said there is so much talent in the rural areas and all that the players need is exposure.
“After Bikita Minerals identified Moyo, they asked if there were other good players and we recommended Andile Lunga who plays for Honeybadgers,” he said.
Masuku said Area Zones should be considered a vital part of Zimbabwe football’s ecosystem.
The Rhinos League and Bulawayo Amateur Football Association are the most active in the Southern Region.
Masuku disclosed that another player from his league, Peace Mwanza, is at Central Region League side Tongogara.
Siphakeme .Mnindwa
