Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER Dynamos vice chairman Vincent Chawonza, has cited Tymon Machope’s late blooming as a sign of the country’s deficiency in scouting and developing of talent.
Machope, who scored 11 goals for Premier Soccer League champions Simba Bhora, made his top-flight debut aged 30 last season.
In his second season, he won a championship medal and is also among the Castle Lager Soccer Stars of the Year.
The 31-year-old, who was discovered playing Division 2 football last year, is also now a member of the national team.
“Imagine what would have happened had Machope been discovered at the age of 10 or so.
“Obviously, he would have scaled greater heights, but the system we have as a country does not deliberately take football development seriously,” reasoned Chawonza.
The youthful football administrator has entered the race for a place on the ZIFA Board.
Chawonza filed his nomination papers at ZIFA yesterday.
He is vying for ZIFA Board member development.
“Another case study is that of former CAPS United keeper Energy Murambadoro, who was discovered at a social tournament in Gokwe in the early 2000s before transforming into a national team goalie.
“Everyone knows that Energy (Murambadoro) was the Warriors number one at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations finals, and he proved Zimbabwe has talent scattered out there.
“I wouldn’t want to diminish the efforts done by our predecessors, but I have seen that there are certain things that we need to correct as a country, in as far as football development is concerned,” said Chawonza.
Before he was appointed Dynamos’ vice chairman in February 2023, Chawonza was the secretary general for the club’s developmental committee.
He played a crucial role in the setting up of DeMbare’s junior structures, a system that later on produced players such as Elton Chikona, Vusa Ngwenya, Freddy Aleck, and Tendai Magwaza.
“Because of my passion for development, I discovered some weaknesses.
“We need a system that can develop players right from Under 13 to the senior level,” said Chawonza.
He is worried about PSL clubs’ lack of appreciation for young talent.
“The Premier Soccer League is the showroom for talent; that is where all the best talent can be seen, but that showroom is closed for young players.
“But, if you go to Europe, we have players like Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr., and Cole Palmer flourishing in their early 20s.
“Lamine Yamal is only 17, but he is already a star at Barcelona.”
He added, “I was there at Dynamos; I saw some of these mistakes, so for me it’s easy to correct the system because I have seen it, and it’s not hearsay.”
Chawonza thinks PSL clubs should be forced to use youthful players.
“The current situation is that PSL teams are forced to register five junior players, but they are not forced to play them.
“So, just forcing them to register under 20 players and not forcing them to play is not enough.
“Our policies need to be realigned so that we address these issues.”
The former GMB Pirates player wants all PSL clubs to comply with CAF Club Licencing requirements, as he thinks this will help in developing the game locally.
“We have PSL teams that are licenced to play in the league without juniors and women’s teams.
“When they comply, it’s only to tick the boxes and not a genuine desire to promote talent.
“Women’s football has to be uplifted, and we want to make sure the girl child is put on the map,” says Chawonza, one of the sponsors of the Heart League, a top-flight competition for women.
“You know what? One of Africa’s most valuable players right now is Barbra Banda, and she comes from neighbouring Zambia.
“So, if Zambia are doing it, why can’t we also do it as Zimbabwe?
“The girl child should also earn millions of dollars, and we should give women’s football the value it deserves.”
Chawonza played football for lower league teams, including Masvingo United, UZ Stars, Mkwasine, and Shabanie Mine.
“After playing football, I devoted my time to junior football development.
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