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Moses Chunga

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
VETERAN coach Moses Chunga says age-cheating is still a big problem and has called on the authorities to double efforts if Zimbabwe are to win the war against the scourge.
Chunga, who celebrated his 49th birthday yesterday, questioned the ages of some of the players who were in the national Under-23 team that travelled to Swaziland during midweek and beat the hosts’ senior side 2-0.

The former Zimbabwe skipper says Zifa should get tough on age-cheating if they hope to realise true benefits in their rebuilding exercise after disbanding the senior national team.

Manipulation of birth records and other identity documents is a big challenge not only in Zimbabwe but across the African continent.

Chunga, who has worked with grassroots development for a long time, said it was worrying the trend has been allowed to go unchecked in Zimbabwe, especially in schools, where teachers and headmasters are more obsessed with flattering results.

Chunga said he has attended several schools football competitions this year and realised the problem is not going away.

“I think the prevalence of age cheating in schools is very worrying, especially when everyone appears to come out to denounce such bad practice, yet the same people are not doing anything to curb the problem.

“I think that is why we are always found wanting when we go to play at a higher level. It’s sad that the problem has its roots in the schools system where most of these schools are more result-oriented instead of developing youngsters for the future.

“All they want is glory.

“I attended recent schools tournaments where age-cheating was rife. The vetting system had many loopholes. Honestly, you cannot tell the age of a player just by looking at his size.

“As a result older players featured in some of the games just because they have smaller frames.

“What is even more worrying is that teachers and headmasters are also alleged to be taking an active part to manipulate documents.

“I think strong measures have to be taken because it’s a crime to tamper with birth records. We know these things are happening, people are altering dates of births or using different names in some age group competitions,” said Chunga.

He said technology should be used to determine the players’ ages.

“I know Zifa will not take this seriously because it’s Moses Chunga who has said this but they should always be on the alert.

“This generation is blessed with the gift of technology, computers are everywhere and I don’t see the reason why NASH and NAPH should not have a proper database of players.

“There should be traceable records to verify each and every player so that we don’t have such problems in future,” said Chunga.

The former Warriors skipper’s sentiments were also raised by CAPS United legend Alois Bunjira.

Bunjira, who is heavily involved in grassroots development through his Albun Soccer Academy, decried the problem through a Facebook post and called for the prosecution of school teachers and headmasters who are involved in the scam.

“I was at the Ngena muSmart PSI Schools under 20 soccer tournament this past weekend…the level of age cheating is getting worse.

“I think for the development of our football, it’s high time the police get into these schools and arrest the teachers and headmasters who are spearheading this age cheating.

“The boys found to have cheated must also be arrested and prosecuted. I think the police must play a part in eradicating this cancer. It kills the development of football . . . It’s sad!” said Bunjira.