RECYCLING of players and officials has led to stunted growth of soccer, cricket and other sports in Zimbabwe.
A closer look at the country’s two most followed sports soccer and cricket reveals that several players move from one team to the other each season. The development has negatively affected the performance of the national teams.
Recycling players has become the norm in local sport.
It is sad that every time a team is promoted into the top flight, it fires the entire team and goes on a shopping spree buying players with Premiership experience, it does not matter whether they have been active or not.
It seems the only important consideration is that at one time they played in the top flight.
This practice is so rampant, promoting the recycling of players some who are already past their sale-by-date. Those off-loaded from the promoted teams go on to find other teams in the First Division never graduating.
Usually players from relegated teams end up making the numbers at newly-promoted teams.
Only a few players get to play in the First Division and later in the Premiership.
Players like Brighton Chandisaita and Lazarus Muhoni have become veterans of the First Division. Chandisaita is now at Flame Lily in the World Navi Northern Region Division One Soccer League. He was in the trenches at Black Rhinos when the army side was promoted into the Premiership in 2013. After Black Rhinos’ promotion, the centreback reverted back to the First Division. Flame Lily are on the verge of promotion and no doubt the former Black Rhinos defender will stay put in the First Division.
Muhoni was also part of the team that won the 2012 title and Black Rhinos were promoted into the top flight. However, the veteran striker has become used to the First Division jungle, he is playing for Commando Bullets.
Ngezi Platinum have striker Enasio Perezo formerly at Motor Action. He is banging goals and is the leading goal scorer in the league.
The recycling of players has resulted in the stagnation of our football that continues to suffer and failing to qualify for major international tournaments.
The bridge for potential players – who still have age on their side – is so tough to cross leaving ageing players making the numbers in the premiership.
ZPC Kariba got promoted and are in their maiden season in the top flight. Only about two players were part of the team that won the title in First Division. The rest of the team including the coach were shown the exit. Tinei Chitora was part of that team, he plays for Triangle FC now.
The practice has denied some pearls to be discovered.
Limited Chikafa who has played for CAPS United during the days of coach Charles Mhlauri and players like Ian Bakala, Raymond Undi and Cephas Chimedza, among others form the nucleus of ZPC Kariba. Not taking anything from Chikafa who has played for Chicken Inn, Setheo United in Masvingo in the Eastern Region Division One Soccer League and Triangle, their services no longer have much benefit to the growth of football in the country. They cannot be added into the national team.
Ephraim Mazarura whose age has been queried by many has played for Chapungu, Dynamos, the defunct Mwana Africa, Mbabane Highlanders and is now at How Mine. His career spans more than 10 years. Norman ‘Wezhira’ Togara has also played for Masvingo United, FC Platinum, Dynamos and ZPC Kariba, among others.
Stephen Alimenda has also seen it all at the clubs in the Premiership. From his debut at Kwekwe-based Lancashire Steel in 2006, the ginger-haired midfielder has been nomadic. He joined Highlanders, CAPS United, Mwana Africa and is now at Dynamos.
Leo Kurauzvione, David Sengu, Norman Maroto, Luis Matawu, Gilbert Mushangazhike, Shingi Kawondera, Leonard Tsipa and Zvenyika Makonese have all come back into the field of play when they should be in retirement or coaching.
Pundits feel teams in the First Division must be reduced from 80 to 16 while it has an age limit. The First Division should be made a national league just like the Premiership to make it more competitive.
The gentleman’s game, cricket has also not been spared.
Several players have been recycled in the Chevrons coming from the previously five cricket franchises.
Since the turnaround of things in the cricket fraternity and the subsequent boycott of the national team by white players and one black – Henry Olonga – the cricket team has gone through a lot. Several players have donned the national team jersey.
However, worries are that the team’s fortunes are not improving owing to the recycling of players. Players in the national team come and go for different reasons. They come back at a time they feel right for them not considering whether the nation needs their services.
Craig Ervine went on a sabbatical alleging that the game was not paying. He made a surprise return during preparations of the Bangladesh tour. He made it into the travelling team.
Stuart Matsikenyeri, Mashonaland Eagles captain has been in the trenches but for reason best known to him decided to take a back seat. He resurfaced during the Asian tour preparations.
Gregory Lamb decided to come back and try his luck at the national team after being released by his English club Hampshire. He was called for the West Indies tour. His last traceable action in the franchises was in 2013 and now he is back in the fold. The likes of Kyle Jarvis leaves and returns to the game anytime he feels like, while the same is expected of Charles Coventry, Tinashe Panyangara, Raymond Price and Njabulo Ncube among others.
Chris Mpofu will again bounce back no doubt and the seamer will find a place in the team. The same names will dominate the line-ups for the next decade.
Pundits feel administrators should cast their nets wider to tap talent from different areas and make sure a vibrant youth policy is in place.