Dzenga’s 2063 Academy shine in SA

06 Jun, 2021 - 00:06 0 Views

The Sunday Mail

Sports Reporter

AWAY from the madding crowds that would normally fill the sports venues for competitions, a Zimbabwean school of excellence has been quietly going about its business in the South African Premier Five-A-Side football league.

The 2063 Academy, fronted by former ZIFA board member for development, Regis Dzenga, recently made their mark when they won the Five-A-Side crown in their zone.

Dzenga, who is mostly remembered by the domestic game for providing the platform that launched the careers of such players like ex-Dynamos captain Edward Sadomba, the former Gunners duo of Elvis Meleka and Terrence Malunga, ageless Warriors and SuperSport United defender Onismor Bhasera, 2016 Castle Premiership Soccer Star of the Year Hardlife Zvirekwi and the Mubaiwa twins Peter and Patrick, is back doing the same in South Africa.

And the former Harare United boss has been left a satisfied man as the class of 2021, whose skills his academy is honing, has impressed in South Africa.

The academy’s Five-A-Side team has also competed against some of the veterans of the game such as former Highlanders skipper Gilbert Banda, ex-Jomo Cosmos forward Charlton Mashumba, Kaizer Chiefs legend Tinashe Nengomasha and Edmore Chirambadare who also played for Chiefs.

Dzenga said playing in the tight spaces of the shorter version of the game had helped perfect the art of his players.

“There are four leagues which play Monday to Thursday nights, each with 10 teams.

“This is extremely good training for tiki-taka type football, close ball control, skills, accurate passing, decision making under pressure and limited time on the ball,’’ Dzenga said.

A disciple of junior development, Dzenga also partnered Prince Edward school on the local front and the project has been producing some of the fine talent that is at Premiership giants, Dynamos.

“If you remember the likes of Edward Sadomba also used Five-aside to improve their skills.

“These boys are now playing some amazing one-touch and two-touch football. Movement off-the-ball is also an important skill.

“Brazil’s Neymar is also one of the biggest beneficiaries of this version of the game and ambassador for 5-A-Side football.

“He even sponsors an international tournament called Neymar Fives,’’ Dzenga said.

The current crop, which is under the captaincy of Alvin Dube, also has some Zimbabwe youth internationals who have represented the Young Warriors in the COSAFA Under-17 tournament.

It also includes Dylan Gumbe, who together with skipper Dube played for the Zimbabwe Under-17 side while Oscar Magejo featured for the Under-20 team at last year’s COSAFA tournament in Port Elizabeth.

Talent Mwenga, Junior Dzenga, and Denzel Chikwanda are also among the key members of the championship winning side.

The former ZIFA board member for development said he had seen a number of Zimbabwean and international players hone their skills from the Five-A-Side version of the game and rise to become global stars.

It is that feat which he now hopes Dube and his teammates, whose average age is 16, can achieve.

And given that he has sought to catch them young, Dzenga is also aware of the need for patience with the investment he has made into the team that pipped their nearest rivals Namaqua for the title.

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