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Mkhuphali Masuku stresses a point to Manjolo FC players during the half time break in a semi-final match against Sikalenge FC which they won 2-1 to proceed to the final in which they beat Dumbwe in a penalty shootout.

Sports Reporter
FORMER Warriors player and assistant coach Mkhuphali Masuku has challenged former stars and qualified coaches to invest their time in rural football clubs.
Masuku made the call at a football tournament held at Manjolo in Binga on Saturday. It was sponsored by Savanna Tobacco. Hosts Manjolo FC won the Pacific Cup beating Dumbwe in a penalty shootout of the eight-team event to walk away with an Adidas branded kit and silverware.

“We must invest our time in the less privileged out there in the rural areas. Unlike clubs in urban centres who have sponsorship and the ability to have coaches of their choice, our colleagues in rural areas do not have that at their disposal,” said Masuku.

He said rural youths were very enthusiastic about the game and were eager to listen and learn from someone who has been better exposed than their local organiser.

“They only hear of some of the names in newspapers, radios or see them on television. When they get to interact with them and share ideas about technique and tactics, they will have a buy-in because they believe in role models.

“Going out there would see us impact positively to the development of the game. The numbers are in rural areas so that is where we need to extend a helping hand,’ said the former Bosso and AmaZulu utility player.

He said he had been impressed by a number of players and would like to have a look at them in other games before making recommendations to clubs. Masuku said if more players were identified from rural set ups they would help more youths believe in the positive impact of the game and look at sport as a career.

A number of players, he said, had an idea about the game, but needed basic playing education to improve. The former national team assistant coach said it is important that the boys be told from an early age that they are playing in order to end up as professional football players.

“They could have their own heroes. The district has had great players like Marko Dube, Madinda Ndlovu, Peter Ndlovu, the late Adam Ndlovu and Tembo Chuma. To many they are like a myth, they played a long time ago. If one were to rise today and return home as a national team player a few months later, that would be good for Binga district football,” said Masuku.

The tournament had almost 3,000 fans and clubs were fed by Savanna Tobacco.
Regional manager Silindile Nyathi said the tournament was a success. “It was part of our community responsibility programme where we sought to give back to the society we make business from. We were surprised though to see such good organisation, discipline and unity of purpose among the people of Binga in an incident-free event.

“This will be an annual event and we want to see gems plucked out of rural areas. The talent is there and so is the will power,” said Nyathi.
Don Ndebele, a distributor for the company organised the tournament at which Tongesai Zvaravanhu, the Savanna Tobacco, chief operating officer was the guest of honour.

The local leadership also praised the organisers and sponsors of the tournament for taking the event to Binga.