Ex-English footballers bring scouts to Zim

TWO former EPL stars, Dexter Blackstock and Andre Boucaud have joined forces to help the development of local grassroots football.

They are now running Prime Time Academy, which is based in the capital.

The project’s managing director, Taurai Janhi, met this duo in London during a dinner where he had visited his family.

Janhi made use of this rare chance by selling the idea of running an academy in Zimbabwe during their dinner discussion and they were convinced.

Blackstock played as a forward for Queens Park Rangers, Nottingham Forest and represented Antigua and Barbuda national team.

And, Boucaud also featured for Peterborough United, Wycombe Wanderers, Notts County, Dagenham and Redbridge.

He also played for Trinidad and Tobago. Their maiden attempt to invite scouts successfully hit the target with three players making the cut. One of their products is now on the brink of penning a deal with Brentford.

This player was scouted during the invitational trials, which they conducted earlier this year which attracted over 350 youngsters.

Scouts from European top clubs Iike

Werder Bremen, SC Braga, Brentford FC, IFK Cothenburg, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Standard Liege are expected to jet in early next month for an international combine that will run from 11 to 13 December at Alexander Sports Club.

“We have been seeing some positives since starting this project, we have three players which are currently in Europe at the moment.

“The other one is with Brentford and they are keen to get his signature they are just going through some formalities.

“They have even agreed to send their scout to attend our international combine which is set for next month,”said Janhi.

Janhi told Zimpapers Sports that they have now confirmed with many parents who wants their children to be part of this event.

Prime Academy are being backed by Wiremit, Empire Car Rental and Mediconnect.

“It’s promising to be an event to remember because we are not only focusing on helping youngsters within our camp but everyone who feels he has what it takes.

“There are those who are going to make the grade basing on what these scouts will be looking at, but the good this is we are also going to keep those whom we feel have a chance if they are properly natured.