Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
ZIMBABWEAN football is mourning the death of Faith Drive Academy founder Nelia Musikavanhu, one of the country’s pioneering figures in women’s football.
Musikavanhu died in Mutare Thursday morning at the age of 72.
Widely known as Gogo Musikavanhu, she founded the Mutare-based Faith Drive Academy, which grew into one of Zimbabwe’s leading women’s football talent development centres, producing numerous players for the Mighty Warriors and Young Mighty Warriors.
Among the national team players who emerged from the academy are Morelife Nyagumbo, Bethel Kondo, Shyline Dambamuromo, Alice Moyo, Cynthia Shonga, Purity Mugayi, Concelia Madotsa, Maudy Mafuruse and Christabel Zulu.
The academy also developed Young Mighty Warriors players Catherine Gwangwara, Melinda Mapasure, Perpetua Chisuro and Miriam Gwenzi.
Many players nurtured by Faith Drive have gone on to feature for clubs in the Zimbabwe Women’s Premier Soccer League, while others have pursued professional careers elsewhere in the region.
Musikavanhu leaves behind a lasting legacy as one of the country’s foremost developers of women’s football talent, with generations of players benefiting from her commitment to nurturing the game.
