Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
BANTU Rovers are embarking on an ambitious development programme in which two thirds of their first team for the 2016 Zifa Southern Region Division One campaign will be made up of players Under-20.

Despite the youthful squad, Bantu Rovers have set themselves a championship target.

“What we are simply doing is to build a team which we believe will compete for three seasons and take us somewhere without bringing in new players.

“We’re done with the issue of recycling and as a club we believe in giving opportunities to youngsters, hence this decision to have less than a third of the squad being players above 20 years old,” said Bantu Rovers’ general manager Wilbert Sibanda.

Former national team and Highlanders’ defender Zephaniah Ngodzo, seasoned defender Lindelani Ncube, striker Lenience Mpofu, goalkeeper Stephen Chimusoro and midfielder Ben Musaka are the only players above 20.

The upcoming stars, who will drive Bantu Rovers, include skipper and national Under-20 striker Bukhosi Sibanda, former national Under-17 players Denzel Khumalo, Thabo Lunga and Mathius Chodera.

They also have ex-Highlanders junior striker Gladman Bharibhari, defender Shadreck Nyahwa and midfielder Munyaradzi Chitambwe, who are part of the Under-20 set up.

Sibanda said Bantu Rovers have also moved towards improving players’ educational studies.

“We’ve mixed football with academic portfolios. Dumaza Dube is in charge of the academic portfolio and since schools are closed, our players still at school will be attending extra lessons, which Bantu Rovers will pay for.

“The club through its overseas partners also facilitate for academically gifted players to get United States of America scholarships,” Sibanda said.

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