THE future of the Warriors of Zimbabwe looks bright unless — as has always been the case — we get it wrong along the way.
There are a host of exciting youngsters scattered across the globe who carry the Zimbabwean name and what is required is to catch them early before we lose them to other nations.
We have seen it happen in rugby where Zimbabwe lost the likes of Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira, Adrien Garvey, and Kennedy Tsimba who went on achieve immeasurable success with the Springboks of South Africa.
There are others too in other sporting disciplines who have gone on to successfully represent other countries because Zimbabwe was not all that accommodative.
Right now, top English Premiership sides including Liverpool have players of Zimbabwean descent on their books but no or little effort has been made to have them commit themselves to Zimbabwe.
Although some of these players were born outside Zimbabwe, they qualify to represent the Warriors because of origin unless they play or have played for another country at senior level.
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These players include Isaac Mabaya (left) and Trey Nyoni (right), who are at Liverpool, Michael Ndiweni who is at Newcastle and Sean Tarima who is at West Ham.
The others are Leon Chiwome, Tawanda Chirewa, and Joshua Nyakudya who are at Wolves, Vernon Masara at Burnley, Mathew Kudakwashe Takawira at Luton, Joseph Tavaziva at Brentford and Alfred Katsukunya who was at Aston Villa.
There is also Munyaradzi Mwakanya who joined Polish club KSPN Pogon Krakow on a three- year deal from Zimbabwe’s CM Academy.
Most, if not all of these players, are above 18 years and can be persuaded to play for the Young Warriors or even the Warriors if they are good enough for the senior team.
Only few months ago, we saw it happen when Senegal set an example by calling 15-year-old Amara Diouf for their 2023 Afcon Qualifier against Rwanda and for the international friendly against Algeria.
Even Spain gave 16-year-old Lamina Yamal his chance when he took part in the 2024 Euro-Group A Qualifier against Georgia in a game the teenager scored in a 7-1 win.
For Zimbabwe, Mabaya and Ndiweni have played senior team football for Liverpool and Newcastle which means they can be considered for the Warriors as is also the case with Tawanda Masvanhise who is at English Championship side Leicester.
Sadly, though, Zimbabwe risks losing Trey Nyoni who has been a quick developer and has featured for the English Under 17 youth team but is still eligible to play for Zimbabwe — that is if he so wishes.
England-based Zimbabwean journalist Admire Muhimeke has warned that Zimbabwe should move fast before they lose out on Nyoni.
“This boy is just too good and could be the saviour the Warriors have been waiting for. Zimbabwe should quickly tie him up before he gets too close to his teammates in the England Under 17 team. This should be done right now before he is told that he has future with England,” Muhimeke advises the Zimbabwean football authorities.
What the Zifa normalisation committee should do is to delegate someone who should track and talk these players into committing themselves to the Zimbabwean cause before the country loses out.
Most African countries among them Senegal and World Cup semi finalists Morocco have been using their football talent born abroad and the results have been there for everyone to see.
There was a time Zimbabwe tried it with Wellington Mpandare at the thick of things and Zimbabwe used the likes of Tendai Darikwa, Brendon Galloway, Adam Chicksen and Jordan Zemura, who helped the Warriors qualify for Afcon 2022.
Sadly, though, Mpandare has been swept away by Zimbabwean football’s political game of chess and the authorities should find a man of the same charisma to convince the growing band of talented youngsters to commit themselves to Zimbabwe.
We have the talent to build a strong future Warriors squad but it is how we are going to handle the situation that will determine or shape the direction that we are heading to.
For your comments, views, and suggestions mkariati@gmail.com or WhatsApp on 0773 266 779.