Umbro backs leaders with rural focus

Langton Nyakwenda and Don Makanyanga

FORMER national team goal-minder, Gift “Umbro” Muzadzi, has a strong connection with the rural areas. 

He grew up in Chihota before his family relocated to Chitungwiza, where he later developed into a professional footballer, thanks to the vast football opportunities in urban centres. 

Muzadzi feels rural areas are lagging behind in terms of football development. 

That is why the former Dynamos and Zimbabwe skipper is hoping for a new ZIFA leadership that gives attention to rural football development. 

Barring any court injunctions, delegates from the ZIFA Congress will choose a president, his two deputies, and six board members on January 25. 

“ZIFA elections are around the corner, and the football fraternity has been following the build-up with keen interest. 

“However, what is important is to have leaders with football at heart, and I am hoping whoever is elected president and his team, that is the board members, will consider rural football development. 

“They have to take it seriously, because we have a situation where most people concentrate on towns and urban areas,” Muzadzi said. 

“Boys and girls from rural areas are treated like second-class citizens, yet they are also Zimbabweans who should also be treated the same as their urban counterparts.” 

Muzadzi played in the Premier Soccer League with Darryn T, Dynamos, and Buymore and also had a stint in Poland. 

After spending his childhood days in Chihota, Muzadzi moved to Chitungwiza, where he benefited from a strong junior development policy that was championed by Polish mentor Wieslaw Grabowski and the late Never Gombera. 

“I only got the chance when I went to stay in Chitungwiza, and I am sure I wouldn’t have developed into the player that I became had I stayed in the rural areas.

“But it doesn’t mean that talent is only in Harare, Gweru, Mutare, or Bulawayo. 

“Or in these urban centres like Mbare, Chitungwiza, Mabvuku, Mufakose, and Dangamvura. We also need to think about those boys and girls in the rural areas. 

“Grassroots development must spread to the rural areas. 

“Just like what President Mnangagwa always says, development should not leave no one and no place behind. 

“This mantra must also apply in football development. 

“We mustn’t leave anyone behind when it comes to football development. 

“There is talent in the rural areas; some of the boys I have seen can actually be developed into national team players, but they lack exposure. 

“They also want to play Premiership football, but they don’t have the chance. People don’t think about them.” 

Muzadzi is now a rural football development ambassador and has been attending football tournaments in rural areas. 

“Budding footballers in the rural areas also need a fair share of the cake. 

“I have been going around the rural areas, and I have seen a lot of talent. 

“I have a strong connection with the rural areas because I spent my childhood in the rural areas, and that’s why I am an ambassador for rural football development.

“I know the challenges they face in the rural areas, and I think we must be serious about rural football development. 

“Structures should be put in place that ensure everyone has a fair chance.” 

Muzadzi says he has been impressed by aspiring board member Brighton “Panjap” Ushendibaba’s vision to transform football in marginalised areas. 

“I was impressed by his vision; he is talking about rural football development, and I hope he will be one of the board members.”

Another strong proponent of grassroots development that is anchored in the rural areas is aspiring board member Edward Mutukwa. 

The Black Rhinos chairman has over the years spearheaded development in his rural home in Chiweshe. 

And just last weekend, his Mutukwa Academy in Chiweshe held trials at Kanyemba Secondary School, giving young  players the opportunity to showcase their potential for identification and further nurturing. 

After some rural tournament, he set up the Mutukwa Academy last year, and their Under-21 age group is now preparing for life in the ZIFA Mashonaland Central Division Two league. 

Mutukwa said having trials in Chiweshe District was part of his plan to give opportunities to the rural child. 

“We decided to set up our academy in Chiweshe so as to give opportunities to the rural child. 

“I believe there is a lot of talent in the rural areas that remains untapped, as most academies concentrate on the urban                  child.

“Setting up the Mutukwa Academy is a partial fulfilment of my aspiration of reinvigorating grassroots development,” said the Black Rhinos Chairman. 

Budding players from Kanyemba, St Albans, Belrock, Rosa, Majome, Nyachuru, and Gweshe converged for the trials. 

Mutukwa, who also boasts a strong financial background and data analytics, believes his expertise will be a key addition to the ZIFA executive committee. 

“I believe that with my financial background, I would be able to eradicate financial mismanagement and deal with irregularities in terms of the association                 finances.

“In doing so we will promote development as funds will end up where they are supposed to be,” said Mutukwa. 

With technological advancement in football, Mutukwa feels there is a need to set up systems that will integrate data analytics in football. 

“We need to integrate data analytic systems with the existing systems for scouting, coaching, and sport science departments,” added Mutukwa.