Sports / Soccer
Charles Mhlauri's son shines in the US
22 Feb 2014 at 13:33hrs | Views
Former Warriors and Amazulu coach Charles Mhlauri's son - Charlton - recently graduating from academy football to sign up for North Eastern University in Boston.
Charles Mhlauri made waves on the domestic football front when he led CAPS United to back-to-back league titles in 2004 and 2005 before he also became the second national coach to guide the Warriors to the African Cup of Nations.
While he may have made a mark as a coach, Charles has been watching with satisfaction as his eldest son Charlton, who played for the CAPS United juniors and Pamushana High School, makes waves as a player alongside fellow Zimbabwean and former Young Warriors forward Ackim Mpofu.
Mhlauri, speaking from his base in the United States yesterday, reckoned that the development of the Young Warriors pair into University soccer in that country not only put them in good stead to graduate into the Major Soccer League but was set to benefit their country.
Charles revealed that he would insist that the young boys give as much attention to their academic studies as they would to their game.
But what are the prospects of such players like Charlton and Ackim retuning to play for their motherland?
"They have good chances. Remember Methembe Ndlovu captained the Under-23 whilst playing for Dartmouth University men's team, if my memory is right.
"I know the economic and distance situation makes it difficult for coaches to come and asses their progress. The USA Under 20-233 teams are predominantly university team players and most are recruited on graduation to play in the MLS and some go to play in Europe."
Charles Mhlauri made waves on the domestic football front when he led CAPS United to back-to-back league titles in 2004 and 2005 before he also became the second national coach to guide the Warriors to the African Cup of Nations.
While he may have made a mark as a coach, Charles has been watching with satisfaction as his eldest son Charlton, who played for the CAPS United juniors and Pamushana High School, makes waves as a player alongside fellow Zimbabwean and former Young Warriors forward Ackim Mpofu.
Mhlauri, speaking from his base in the United States yesterday, reckoned that the development of the Young Warriors pair into University soccer in that country not only put them in good stead to graduate into the Major Soccer League but was set to benefit their country.
Charles revealed that he would insist that the young boys give as much attention to their academic studies as they would to their game.
But what are the prospects of such players like Charlton and Ackim retuning to play for their motherland?
"They have good chances. Remember Methembe Ndlovu captained the Under-23 whilst playing for Dartmouth University men's team, if my memory is right.
"I know the economic and distance situation makes it difficult for coaches to come and asses their progress. The USA Under 20-233 teams are predominantly university team players and most are recruited on graduation to play in the MLS and some go to play in Europe."
Source - The Herald
