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Ray Bande Mutare Bureau
YOUNG Brian Zvekare could have been out of school as his parents live from hand to mouth in near squalid conditions of Gimboki section of Dangamvura in Mutare but his exceptional ball control and dribbling skills earned him a scholarship at Guinea Fowl High in Gweru, thanks to FC Platinum’s vibrant junior football structures.

Unlike some players with biological links to yesteryear greats, 14-year old Brian’s family does not have a history as far as football matters are concerned but the youngsters’ off the ball running, mazy turns and mature ball control is just a marvel to watch.

He is a gem in the making!

Such is the power of the beautiful game not only in uniting people of different or divergent beliefs but also extricating talented players from the jaws of poverty.

The former Zamba Primary School pupil, who is now a Form One boarder at Guinea Fowl High, has won the hearts and minds of many each time he partakes in junior football tournaments.

Even when his Sheckon Stars Under 17 club won the inaugural Johnson Mbaradza tournament on Saturday, the selection panel for individual awards did not have much to deliberate on the Player of the Tournament as the diminutive player was everyone’s choice.

He has won the Willard Katsande Under 17 Player of the Tournament award among other accolades that the budding striker has collected in junior football competitions.

“I am grateful for FC Platinum for giving me a chance to proceed with my education as well as the chance to play football. I am currently doing Form One at Guinea Fowl High in Gweru and I am in the school team for the Under 15s and the Under 17s.

“My parents are finding it difficult to meet the school fees demands of my siblings and my elder brother is also on a scholarship doing Form Six. He got the scholarship because of his exceptionally good results at ‘O’ Level. I am serious with my studies and I am equally serious with my football career,” he said.

His father does menial job at Mutare Magistrate’s court while his mother is unemployed.

Zvekare, whose talents were exposed by the National Association of Primary Heads (NAPH) football competitions, boosted by last year and this year’s Copa Coca Cola tournament, did his primary education at Zamba Primary in Sakubva before the family moved to Dangamvura.

At FC Platinum, Zvekare found himself a talent nursery his talents were badly yearning for.

“I will be leaving for Zvishavane tomorrow (Sunday) where I will be playing in the FC Platinum juniors’ team. We go through training sessions and take part in some competitive matches with other teams. When schools open, I return to Kwekwe,” he said. Naturally, Zvekare hopes to go far in his career.

“I dream of playing at the highest level. I think I will be able to achieve my aim of playing in the local Premiership and even beyond,” he said.