Zimpapers Logo

Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter

LEGENDARY footballer Moses Chunga, a man known for his burning desire for grassroots football development, has once again spoken passionately about the need to invest more in identifying and grooming talent at a young age.

The former Zimbabwe international, who has been going around the country to grace schools’ football tournaments, had his latest stop at Falcon College last week where Peterhouse Boys School dominated the football fields to be crowned the 2023 champions.

The Marondera-based side had a brilliant run in the tournament and were deserved winners after edging out equally impressive Eaglesvale 1-0 in the final.

Their players also ruled the roost for the individual prizes, with Anesu Chivurayise scooping the Most Valuable Player of the tournament award.

Striker Tendai Mutwira was the Top Scorer while Michael Mutasa was the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament.

The duo of Eaglesvale School, Barlon Drawu and Munashe Muza, also got individual accolades after they were named the Best Midfielder of the tournament and Best Defender of the tournament.

About 17 schools took part in the tournament, which ended last weekend. Chunga was impressed by the quality of play.

However, the former Dynamos player was worried that schools every year were churning out players yet the domestic Premiership remained poor.

Apart from the flaws at grassroots, Chunga said there was also a missing link between schools’ football and the professional ranks, which needed to be filled.

“There’s a lot of potential,” he said.

“But the big question is how are these guys nurtured and where do they go after school? Talent doesn’t suddenly explode at the age of 20. A good player is good from his youth. But mistakes are often made at the basic training and development stages.

“We need to give equal opportunity to these youngsters for them to realise their dreams. Talent is 20 percent and 80 percent is hard work,” said Chunga.

On their way to the final, Peterhouse Boys beat Christian Brothers College 2-0 in the semi-finals. The Marondera-based side had begun their knockout campaign with a 4-0 thrashing of St Johns.

Their results in the group games were almost one way after they had opened their campaign with a 4-0 drubbing of gateway. This was followed by the 1-1 draw with Westridge.

Their biggest win of the tournament was against Goldridge, who they smashed 5-0. Their last group game ended in a 3-0 win over Gweru’s Midlands Christian College.

Peterhouse Boys contributed the biggest number of players to the CHISZ Team. These included Michael Mutasa, Makanaka Mhinga, Anesu Chivurayise, Tendai Mutwira, Akanaka Sachikonye, Tawanda Chiripanhura and Tariro Muchineripi.

Hosts Falcon had Lwandile Chitofu, Kumbirai Mutamuko, Russell Foster, Tatenda Mapundu and Zach Gover.

Runners-up Eaglesvale had Tanatswa Mashoko, Munashe Muza, Takudzwa Mahlanzi, Barlon Drawu and Marshall Nhira.

Eaglesvale had also finished top in the group stages and advanced to the quarterfinals of the main cup. To reach the quarterfinals, they won 2-0 against Watershed, drew 1-1 with Kyle and thrashed hosts Falcon 5-1.