BAFANA FINDS ANOTHER ROUGH FOOTBALL DIAMOND
RENOWNED football scout, Eric Bafana, who is credited with scouting Tino Kadewere and was behind the Zimbabwean striker’s first foreign move, has been impressed by another local footballer.
Bafana, who works for Diambars Academy in South Africa, was blown away by Alimenda Stephen Academy (ASA) product Sam Mutenheri Junior, when the 17-year-old forward went for trials with the academy in December.
Mutenheri, who is named after his father and former Dynamos left back, finally joined Diambars Academy this month and made his debut last Friday night.
“The boy is doing very well, he is very promising and has that hunger for success,” Bafana told Zimpapers Sport.
Mutenheri’s move to Diambars South Africa is now seen as the beginning of what could turn out to be another big opportunity for a Zimbabwean starlet.
“For him (Mutenheri) moving from Zimbabwe to SA is a stepping stone,” says Bafana.
“The boy is here for further assessment and if we are happy then we will send videos overseas to different clubs.
“The clips will pass through our bosses in Senegal and France.
“The possibilities are there for the player to get a chance to play in France, Belgium or Sweden.
“If he impresses, anytime from October he can catch a flight to Europe.
“I am the scout for Southern Africa, so whenever I see talent I am sponsored to go there and have a look, if I am satisfied I have to recommend to Diambars technical staff, that’s how Mutenheri ended up here,” said Bafana.
Diambars Academy has its headquarters in Senegal and is one of the best football factories in Africa.
By extension, the famous academy now has links with ASA, a Harare based football nursery that was founded by former Dynamos captain Alimenda.
“We are happy for Sam (Mutenheri), it’s not easy to make the grade at this level,” Alimenda said. Our products are now being recognised internationally and its good for Zimbabwean football.
“We have little resources but we are trying. “We face challenges in terms of accommodation for boys from outside Harare.
“But, these boys from outside Harare are brilliant.
“Ezekiel Chikuwe and Talent Nyamangara from Kanyemba are very promising.”