allAfrica.com: Zimbabwe: Catch Soccer Players Young, Chidzambwa (Page 1 of 2)

Dynamos director of coaching Sunday Chidzambwa believes talented players should be taught all the rudiments of the game while there are still very young.

Chidzambwa, Zimbabwe's history-making coach, pointed out that it would be very difficult to teach older players any new skills, which should have been imparted at an earlier stage of their development.

The coach made the remarks at Kuwadzana 2 Primary School in Harare yesterday where he officially opened a coaching clinic being run by Stars Football Academy.

"I notice that there are some players here who are six and seven years.

"In Brazil, where I first trained as a coach, this is the age they go out to look for in terms of talent."

Chidzambwa pointed out that players are either made or broken at this tender age.

"A lot of you watched our team Dynamos playing in the African Champions League.

"We allowed some goals to go in and even with the national teams here in Zimbabwe, we have a problem in defence.

"I for one always point out that defenders should never leave a striker behind them but should try and put a defender in front every time.

"If you leave a striker behind you, he can get the advantage just like what happened in our last game against Al Ahly where we had four of our defenders in the box but just one Egyptian striker managed to score because he had been left behind," he said.

Chidzambwa said if players are taught such crucial basics of football at a young age, they would easily adapt and carry on as they develop.

"Playing football will remain the same but the skills taught at an early age will mould the player as he grows.

"I see that you are all young and my advice if for you to listen to your coaches," said Chidzambwa.

Stars Football Academy was launched in Harare's Kuwadzana suburb last month and are holding their first coaching clinic for the more than 150 players in their ranks.

The clinic started on Monday and will end tomorrow with former CAPS United players Chita Antonio and Leon Ndunduma taking the ambitious boys and girls through their paces.

Chidzambwa also impressed on the young and emerging talent that they should take football seriously as it has evolved into a form of formal employment for some.

"I can just give an example of players at Dynamos right now who are getting some good money by playing in the Champions League.

"Football leagues in Europe pay better and some of you can one day be able to play in those leagues if you remain disciplined.

"Peter Ndlovu, Benjani Mwaruwari, Vusa Nyoni and Cephas Chimedza are some of the Zimbabwean players who have played in Europe and there is nothing to stop players from Stars Academy from doing the same.

"Many of you are lucky to be attending an academy where you can develop your soccer skills unlike some who just play football in the streets.

"So I urge you to use your time here at the academy wisely and I emphasise that you should be disciplined in football, at home and at school and stay aware from Aids and drugs.

"Some people may not be academically gifted but they can make a good life out of football," he said.

Chidzambwa called on the players to believe in themselves.

"I grew up in the rural areas in Chivhu but ended up playing for the national team, Metal Box and later Dynamos.

"A lot of you also know Bruce Grobbelaar, who went on to become one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

"Bruce started playing as an Under-16 at Callies where Motor Action is and then joined Zimbabwe Saints, later Highlanders before moving to Canada.

"He later came to Liverpool and so the same can happen to you," he said.

Chidzambwa said he was prepared to work with players at grassroots and could even recommend some of them to Dynamos if they show talent, discipline and commitment to the game.

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