Story by Lawrence Trusida,Sports Editor
A NEW chapter in African football begins this Monday as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) African Schools Championship gets underway in Harare, bringing together emerging talent from across the continent.
The tournament, which runs at Gateway High School and Ngoni Stadium, offers young players a rare opportunity to showcase their abilities on a continental stage.
Former Warriors midfield general Esrom Nyandoro says the championship provides a critical platform for nurturing future stars.
“At this level, you are shaping not just a player, but a person. These tournaments give young stars the belief that they belong, that they can dream big and actually achieve it. I started at the Peter Ndlovu Trophy, that’s where I was discovered as a schoolboy,” he said.
Nyandoro, a former AmaZulu FC league winner in 2003, AFCON representative and long-serving Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder, believes the championship could shape the future of African football.
Zimbabwe becomes the hub of schools football on the continent, with ten African legends set to mentor participants and inspire the next generation.
Joining Nyandoro are former Mighty Warriors captain Rudo Neshamba, Tunisia’s Karim Haggui, DR Congo’s Trésor LuaLua, South African great Amanda Dlamini and Siphiwe Tshabalala, whose iconic strike at the 2010 FIFA World Cup remains one of Africa’s most memorable football moments.
“Africa has talent everywhere, but platforms like this are what connect that talent to opportunity. Someone here could be the next big star; we need to nurture them the right way,” Nyandoro added.
Beyond competition, organisers say the CAF African Schools Championship is designed to identify, develop and inspire the continent’s next generation of football stars.
