Four Zim students head for Spain

KUDAKWASHE CHIBVURI

Spanish football scouts from the Nastic Sports Academy have described Zimbabwean grassroots talent as impressive adding that if well nurtured, young players will make a huge impact on integration stage.

Speaking after the ITS 2024 Under 13 inter-provincial soccer tournament held in Gweru at the Midlands Christian School, last week, Javier Ornia General Manager, Nastic Sports Academy (NSA) said the tournament was good ground to identify talent with four students being selected to represent the country in Spain at the NSA, a leading international academy in sports training.

The academy facilitates access and opportunities for student athletes with innovative educational and sports project on campus.

The four are Mufudzi Mandiwanzira (St John’s Prep), Shamakh Zhuwakini (Hellenic) Ndadiwa Pepukai (St John’s Prep) a d Timothy Ndebele (Petra College).

Th quartet are expected to fly to Spain for a week where they will have top-class training facilities and join other talented youngsters from different parts of the globe.

“We were so impressed by the young talent we saw in this tournament. We were so impressed and that is why we chose the four who played the ball,” he said.

“I think they have talent and if they come to Spain, they will learn some ways and play more differently and better,” he added.

“They will have one full week of training with our coaches. There will be 200 people from different nationalities training four hours per day with high level tutors.”

Among attendees were top footballing names including Farai Jere who is the Premier Soccer League boss and had his son selected for the Dubai trip.

Parents who spoke after the tournament said they will remain committed to supporting soccer as it has gained huge popularity in schools.
They marvelled the talent exhibited by the players.

Former Dynamos and Warriors striker Lloyd Hlala was one of the coaches for the Harare team.