Ex-Chippa United coach Norman Mapeza has challenged Zimbabwe’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clubs to invest in development teams as an easy way of avoiding too much expenditure on transfers.
Mapeza was speaking after his youthful side, FC Platinum, opened a nine-point lead at the summit of the log standings following a comfortable 2-0 win over Manica Diamonds on Saturday.
FC Platinum is one of the few teams in the Zimbabwean elite league that has a functional developmental team competing in the first division.
Out of the 18 teams in the league, only FC Platinum, Ngezi Platinum, Herentals, Dynamos, Highlanders, and Bulawayo Chiefs have functional developmental teams competing in lower-tier leagues.
For Mapeza and FC Platinum, the audacity to release seasoned players and replace them with unheralded juniors is paying off.
Prior to the current season, Mapeza plucked at least seven top performers from the developmental team. Six of them have already become regulars in his team.
“At some point, you might be forced to think again if you made the correct decision because of the pressure in the premier league.
“It’s a risk worth taking. Every club must emulate that. Clubs in South Africa and mostly in Europe are thriving because of that.
“As a coach, you have to work hard with these young boys. You might be forced to ask yourself if your boys are ready especially looking at some of the chances we miss.
“But I tell myself that they are ready because I push them hard to get into those positions. We have a mission, and we have faith in the process. This is going to be an example.
“I’m more than happy that these boys are enduring, especially at this level where games are slowly getting tough,” Mapeza said.
In particular, 19-year-old striker Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya has been a cut above the rest, with eight goals to his name.
Another 19-year-old, Oscar Bhebhe, has of late turned out to be their super sub.
As it stands, eight rounds of fixtures remain before the curtain goes down, and Mapeza is convinced that turning to unheralded talent could be the solution to Zimbabwe’s football development both at the club and national team level.
“That’s the way to go. The average age of a club must be good for the future, but that all depends on the club’s objectives.
“It’s easy to work with young players, drill and train them until they are ready even for continental competitions and the national team.
“I think this could be an easy solution to our problems as a nation. The future is in these young players in lower leagues,” he added.
When the season started, the former Galatasaray defender released veteran players, most of which were over the age of 28.
These include ex-Baroka midfielder Rodwell Chinyengetere, Silas Songani, Kelvin Madzongwe and former Azam striker Donald Ngoma among others.
He also turned down a chance to resign Perfect Chikwende on his return from an unsuccessful stint at Simba SC in Tanzania.
