Unearthing, polishing junior gems
AFTER successfully navigating their way to the dock on their maiden voyage in the ZIFA Eastern Region Division One, developmental side, Manica Diamonds Juniors have set sights on broadening their horizons by unearthing and polishing more young gems.
The team, which largely comprises youngsters barely into their teens and serves as a feeder club to the senior side, embarked on its debut campaign in the second tier league this season.
While the Gem Boys Juniors were not dominant in the Eastern Region Division League, coach, Hibron “Adhala Chommiey” Makukutu drew plenty of positives from how his blossoming charges went about their business and is confident that they can be a force to reckon with in future.
He concedes that competing among the big boys during the gruelling marathon was no mean task, but they, however, relished the challenge.
Makukutu said although Manica Diamonds Juniors finished fourth from bottom, they can still hold their heads high for going the distance.
“This was an exciting journey for us. Everyone in the team relished the opportunity and challenge that we all gave it our best shots. Overall, we are happy with the way we performed. Our goal was to get exposure at that level of the game and we enjoyed it.
“This was largely a learning curve for us and we picked up some important lessons which can help us going forward. We have taken off now and hope to go in full flight in the coming seasons. We are looking forward to turning many corners along the way,” said Makukutu.
He highlighted that as a developmental side they are targeting incremental growth.
Harnessing more prodigious talent, especially for their senior side, has therefore become their primary objective.
The prospects that they can continue improving are bright, added the youthful gaffer.
“The potential is there and we are encouraged by the boys’ enthusiasm and determination to get to the next level of their blooming careers. We are looking forward to developing further. The province is replete with football talent that needs harnessing. As Manica Diamonds Juniors, we are keen to unearth and polish these gems,” said the former Highway skipper.
While still in Division Two, the team managed to second Blessing “Eto’o” Maranke, Roy Mangayira and Christian Chikonya for stints with the senior side as the trio enjoyed a run at the top level.
As the youthful team held their own against more fancied opponents, some players shone like beacons with outstanding individual performances.
Makukutu singled out utility player, Raphael “Rojo” Kahiki, who is equally at home as a defensive midfielder and centre-back, Ask Rupande, goalkeeper, Kelvin Magadu, Shelton Maromo, Ashley Mambirisi and Panashe Jana.
The youthful tactician emphasised that he is keen to give back to the game by promoting more young talent as he also broke into local professional sides’ first teams in his early teens.
Makukutu gave credit to his former teammates, Clemence “Skude” Mukudu and Stephen “Dealer” Sibanda for their valuable input into the project as team manager and assistant coach respectively.
He described their working relationship as a winning combination.
Manica Diamonds chairman, Masimba Chihowa said the junior gems are on the right track.
He applauded the team for upholding the club’s vision of harnessing talent across Manicaland Province and beyond.
“As a club, it is our policy to identify and develop young talent. We are happy with the work Manica Diamonds Juniors are doing. This is a wonderful project and we are excited with the progress they are making. With the way our developmental side is nurturing raw gems, we are positive about what the future holds. They are taking the right direction inpromoting unheralded players and this is for the overall good of our club and other teams in the province,” said the ex-FIFA panel assistant referee.
Chihowa said the club is delighted with the exposure the junior gems are getting in Division One.
Reiterating that the door is always open for the youngsters from their developmental side to graduate into the senior team, he explained that they can also loan out some of their junior players to other clubs.
This has seen two of their players, David and Chirandu and Pascal Shumbaimwe crossing the floor to city rivals, Tenax on loan deals.
The club chairman said they will continue backing the Manica Diamonds Juniors project so that it flourishes.