While the spotlight shines on those vying for senior national team jobs, former Kaizer Chiefs captain Willard Katsande is quietly plotting a different path—one he believes will shape Zimbabwe’s football future by guiding the next generation.
Katsande, who is already involved in grassroots football, is aiming to coach Zimbabwe’s Under‑17 and U‑20 teams. The 39‑year‑old says his mission is to build a tactical, well‑rounded grassroots programme for Zimbabwe so that the senior national squad will have a ready source of players.
The former Kaizer Chiefs hardman draws inspiration from the progress of the Amajimbos. In addition, he admires the way coach Raymond Mdaka has nurtured budding talent, aiming to replicate that model for Zimbabwe’s youth.
Amajimbos boasts talented stars, including Emile Witbooi, who already plays at the senior level for Cape Town City FC. The SA U-17 squad recently competed in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, where their campaign concluded in the Last 32 stage.
In contrast, Amajita, who won the U-20 AFCON earlier this year, features numerous players with first-team experience. These include Queens Park Rangers FC star Tylon Smith, Neo Rapoo of Siwelele FC, Kaizer Chiefs’ Mfundo Vilakazi, and the Mamelodi Sundowns duo of Kutlwano Lethlaku and Siyabonga Mabena, among others.
WHAT THE FORMER KAIZER CHIEFS STAR KATSANDE SAID
While others are jostling for the Zimbabwe senior national team jobs, Katsande is setting his sights on the lower levels, telling FARPost that his ultimate coaching target—building a steady pipeline of ready, high‑level Zimbabwean players—would give him immense gratification.
Katsande, who runs Kitoko Soccer School in SA, recently completed his CAF C Coaching Licence and is set to take CAF B classes in 2026.
“If you look at South Africa’s U‑17 and U‑20 teams, you see a more tactical approach. They continuously work on their physical side, but they also become tactical enough to be thrown into the senior team because they are well‑equipped,” Katsande told FARPost.
“I want to strike a balance between hard work and tactical training so that they can combine the two and use them effectively. When we have a good U‑17 and U‑20 setup, we won’t need to worry about the senior national team for the next ten years, because those players will be representing us for the next 10 to 15 years.”
GHANA CLASS OF 2010 MOTIVATES KATSANDE
Katsande also cited the example of Ghana’s seamless integration of players such as André Ayew into the senior national team, a move that helped the side shine at the 2010 World Cup.
“Look at Ghana, when they reached the 2010 World Cup, they brought in U‑20 players, the likes of André Ayew, who had just won the World Cup with the Ghana U-20 team. How many years did they serve Ghana? It’s preparation that starts with the younger age groups,” he added.
“Overall, the most important thing is to give my best and identify the talent that will take Zimbabwe to another level. Perhaps the next generation I coach will be the one that reaches the AFCON final—or even wins it. Who knows? But we must develop and create competitive junior teams for the national squad so that the senior team is ready to rumble.”
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