Former Zimbabwe Warriors goalkeeper Japhet “Shortcat” Mparutsa has called on Zimbabwean football clubs to prioritise junior development, warning that the future of the domestic game depends on investing in young talent rather than relying on experienced players moving from one club to another.
Mparutsa said every successful footballer began as a junior and stressed that strong youth structures are the foundation of sustained success.
“Every great player started somewhere. We all came through the junior ranks. If clubs want to build lasting success, they must invest in their juniors by providing proper coaching, good facilities and a clear pathway to the senior team,” he said.
The former Warriors goalkeeper pointed to Highlanders’ once-thriving junior development programme as a model worth emulating.
Under the guidance of the late Ali Baba Dube, Highlanders established one of the country’s most respected youth systems, producing some of Zimbabwe’s finest footballers, including Peter Ndlovu, Adam Ndlovu and Benjamin Nkonjera, who all went on to make significant contributions to both club and country.
“Those players didn’t become stars overnight. They were identified, nurtured and given opportunities from a young age. They understood the club’s culture and values long before they reached the first team,” Mparutsa said.
He lamented what he described as a growing dependence on recruiting established players instead of developing home-grown talent.
“We cannot keep recycling old players from one club to another and expect long-term success. Clubs should be producing players who can strengthen the first team and eventually represent the national team,” he said.
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Mparutsa believes a vibrant junior policy benefits clubs beyond the football field by creating a strong identity and fostering loyalty among players who rise through the ranks.
“When players grow up in a club’s system, they develop a sense of belonging and understand what the badge represents. That identity is priceless,” he said.
He urged football administrators and club executives to channel more resources into grassroots football, describing youth development as an investment rather than a cost.
“As Zimbabwean football looks to reclaim its place among Africa’s best, the revival of junior football structures could prove vital in producing the next generation of stars capable of following in the footsteps of the legends who emerged from the country’s celebrated youth academies.”
