By Ellina Mhlanga
Chitungwiza-based Dreamers Academy yesterday received a major boost after former Premiership player Walter Musanhu donated football equipment as a way of giving back to the community. Musanhu, who is now based in China, presented the academy, run by former CAPS United player Charles Manjera, with shinpads, balls, cones and groceries.
Manjera was thankful for the gesture and said it will go a long way in complementing their efforts to groom and nurture young talented soccer players.
The academy has got three age-groups under its wings — the Under-14, Under-16 and Under-18s.
“Those are the kids we work with and most of them are underprivileged. We started this project in 2013 and we have 23 kids in each age-group.
“This is a very big boost to us because in football these are the things that matter. The small little things. The majority of the people only think of the senior national teams and the Under-23s. But this is where a lot of investment has to be done. “The kids are so happy, it will go a long way to emancipate our football,” said Manjera.
Manjera runs the academy together with Antony Ratibu and Emmanuel Nhende.
The former CAPS United player said growing up they also had people who encouraged them to pursue their dreams and its now their turn to give back to aspiring young footballers.
“When we started we had a lot of kids and we had to say, now we have to look at underprivileged kids but are very good, those that are talented. So we work with the kids that have potential.
“The way we started this project, I had passion for football and then we look at people like Walter Musanhu, we grew up in the high density suburbs . . . We were supported by other people. So we want these kids to surpass what we have done in our careers. But these kids need our support,” said Manjera.
Musanhu played for the now-defunct Motor Action and Shooting Stars between 2002 and 2007 when he hung up his boots and is now based in China where he is involved in junior football.
And yesterday he said his experience as a junior player is the major drive as he seeks to support upcoming players.
“I grew up (in Mbare) playing junior football. We used to play against different teams from Dzivarasekwa, Chitungwiza and other high-density suburbs. The same situations, the struggles we used to face are the same they are facing.
“You would notice that some kids would play with football boots and some without balls. So I feel in my heart that I have to give back to the communities.
“I know the feeling when you are wearing something, when you are complete . . . That’s is what drives me most because I know this situation. So it’s more about the talent, it’s more about these underprivileged kids. We want to see our junior structures coming up. Let’s support those that are doing it,” said Musanhu.
Last year he made the same donation to Inter-Harare FC, a community club based in Mbare and said it’s his way of giving back to the community that raised him. The Herald
