THREE young Zimbabwean footballers have been afforded the grand chance of breaking into Europe following an invitation to take part in the 2013 Germany Professional Tour from July 1 to 15.
Report by Michael Madyira
Tatenda Dzumbunu, Modecai Chigaba and Robin Muneka will travel for the Tour that has a series of 12 matches played in different German cities and watched by coaches and scouts from over 30 European professional clubs.
Players that impress would be invited for trials or offered contracts by interested professional clubs.
The three were spotted by English Premiership side West Bromwich Albion chief scout Paul Andre Gibbons during a junior development tournament in Harare in February.
A renowned talent spotter, Gibbons compiled DVDs of the tournament leading to the selection of the three to take part in the Germany Tour.
Gibbons believes the Zimbabweans are talented enough to play in Europe.
“They will impress any coach or scout. They are good people as well as good players, which in the grand scheme of things is much more important. There are more like these lads in the younger ages in Zimbabwe too,” Gibbons told NewsDay Sport.
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Young Warriors midfielder Dzumbunu is now with FC Platinum Under-19, having been groomed at Caps United juniors.
One of the leading local football academy FC Maningi is home to 16-year-old Chigaba and Muneka.
Maningi is renowned for affording University scholarships to young local footballers through the US Soccer Academy College Prep.
Local player agent Denford Mutashu, who has watched the juniors before, said the Tour is a grand opportunity not only for the youngsters, but for the development of Zimbabwean football.
“It is an important platform for the kids to enter into the grand stage of European football. If we have more players in European competitive leagues, our national teams would become an indomitable force in world football,” said Mutashu.
Mutashu represents Manchester City Under-21 captain Tinotenda Chibharo.
