TWO Zifa Bulawayo Province Three side Toronto teenagers Mncedisi Gumede and Ntandoyenkosi Dube hogged the limelight with impressive displays against Division One side Trumus in the LG Foods Tournament first round in Victoria Falls on Saturday.
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Zifa Southern Region vice-chairman Gaylord Madhunguza, who is also ZPC Hwange secretary-general, yesterday said he was impressed with the boys and would be recommending Gumede (19) and Dube (16) to the national team for consideration. He said he would definitely endorse the two youngsters for their sister team ZPC Kariba, who are playing in the Castle Lager Premiership.
Madhunguza watched Toronto lose 1-3 to Trumus in Victoria Falls on Saturday in the first round of the LG Foods Tournament after his side ZPC Hwange beat Matabeleland North Division Two side Amagagasi 3-0 in the first round of the same tournament.
“Honestly speaking, those two young men are good players and I think they should be given a chance in the national teams,” he said.
“I wonder where the coaches will be when they don’t see such boys and it is disappointing to see such talent go to waste untapped. I will use my platform as Zifa Southern Region vice-chairman and recommend that they try these boys.
“Their composure playing against a Division One team was impressive and nothing will stop me from even recommending them to ZPC Kariba through our offices in Harare.”
Toronto official Sakheleni Nxumalo yesterday said Madhunguza had approached them after the match to talk about the two boys, but it was an informal discussion. Gumede, a right linkman, was part of the Under-15 national team that took part in the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympics and was coached by Highlanders Juniors coach Dumaza Dube.
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The team had Highlanders striker Mgcini Sibanda, How Mine goalkeeper Donovan Benard, a product of Aces Youth Academy and Hwange’s Pritchard Mphele.
Former Highlanders striker Ackim Mpofu, who was also part of the team, is in the United States on a football scholarship.
Meanwhile, Zifa Southern Region Division One side Black Boots are through to the quarter-final of the LG Foods Tournament after beating Division Two side BCC Golden Stars 1-0 in the first round at Raylton Sports Club yesterday while Hwange Juniors beat Division Three side Talen Vision 2-0 in the first round at the same venue.
Black Boots will now meet Ntabazinduna Prison in the quarter-final while Hwange Juniors will face Tsholotsho FC.
