Katsande takes swipe at Zimbabwe football authorities

FORMER Warriors captain Willard Katsande has launched a scathing attack on local football authorities, whom he blames for killing the game by failing to sufficiently support junior structures.

The retired footballer said Zimbabwe’s football standards and the level of investment will remain behind South Africa if junior football is not taken seriously.

Being of the few Zimbabwean players that are thriving well after retirement, Katsande is worried the country’s readily available talent is all but going to waste.

“We don’t take junior football seriously, but we want results at national level. How can the Warriors [Zimbabwe] win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy when there is no support at grassroot level,” Katsande said during an interview with a local radio station on Friday.

“Development and success are built from the bottom. What is happening right now is killing so many careers. Someone has to stop being greedy. Football helped us take care of our families, but right now, it’s the other way round.

Katsande was livid in his remarks, especially since Zimbabwe has been under FIFA suspension since February 2022 over government interference in the countries’ football association [ZIFA].

Consequently, players in the Southern African nation has been deprived of showcasing their talent at continental and regional level.

This includes the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, the Chan tournament that kicks off this Friday in Morocco, among other key tournaments.

Clubs have also missed out on participating in the coveted CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederations Cup.

And with no solution in sight, FC Platinum and Bulawayo Chiefs, who won the tickets to compete in the two club competitions, will miss out.

Moreso, players have also had restricted movement, especially going beyond Zimbabwe. This season no player has managed to join the DStv Premiership from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

Only ten Zimbabwean players have retained their places in the DStv Premiership, with Kudakwashe Mahachi likely to be the eleventh player if his move back to the league materialises. FARPost