Clive Thabo Dube
Sports Reporter
DUSTY streets which are a curse to motorists, are a blessing in disguise for the youths and football players who turn them into playgrounds for self- discovery and creativity with the round ball. The streets have produced many great players who have graced professionally the beautiful game.
According to football analyst Brian Moyo, it is always a marvel to watch players engage in street soccer, a platform from which the great Peter Ndlovu emerged from.
“Street soccer produced Peter Ndlovu and it is very much recreational, and part of the play routines of youngsters. It is organised by kids themselves with no adults, from team selection to playing rules. This on its own develops natural group leaders,” said Moyo.
Brian Moyo said the street football culture is a good foundation for players which teaches one the ability to dribble, handle the ball comfortably which leads one to posses great technical skills and good awareness.
“Technically, the playing implementation is irregular and it allows the participants to develop adaptive skills as much as playing in the field. All this builds in character, self confidence and self discovery. Making it easier for the young fella to ease into organised game.” He added.
Professional footballers who passed through the phase of street football or five (5) aside football have gone on to produce insane skills, brute strength and good ball possession in the green turf. The players include Diego Maradona, the late Brazilian legend Pelé, Neymar, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo amongst others.
Lobengula Rovers chairman Dumisani Netha chipped in and praised street soccer in Zimbabwe as it has produced a number of quality players.
“Street soccer is a game of precise skill and trickery, and has produced great players. In the 70s the likes of Majuta Mpofu, Boy Ndlovu, George Shaya all played street soccer (ibhola lamaphepha) plastic ball.” Said Netha.
Collen Nyambiya, the President and Technical director for Young Flying Stars Sports Academy believes that in as much as street soccer has produced soccer stars in the past, there is need for one to be trained in an organized set up (English football playing style) from a tender age to understand the football language.
“We grew up playing street football because back then, there were few football clubs catering for youngsters. But it is crucial for one to hone their skills at a clubs because street football has no rules and is just about kicking the ball and scoring goals. In the developed world, there is no such thing as street football because youngsters are quickly absorbed by academies at an early age.” Said Nyambiya.
Nyambiya however said street football has always been there and will continue to live on.
One notable Zimbabwean footballer from the streets is the late Archieford ‘Chihuchi’ Chimutanda who played for Black Aces and likened himself to the late Argentine legend Diego Maradona.