Mwaruwari urges ZIFA to prioritise junior national teams

Former Warriors captain has called on the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) to place greater emphasis on junior national teams, highlighting their importance as the foundation for future senior squads. The former player expressed concern over the recent chaotic selection process for the national Under-17 team, which required players from across the globe to travel to Harare on less than 48 hours' notice.

The short timeframe largely favoured players based in the capital, who faced fewer logistical and financial hurdles. "We can do better. ZIFA must honour its pre-election promises to improve professionalism and transparency. So far, meaningful change remains elusive," he said, recalling his own development through Bulawayo's once-thriving junior football leagues.

He emphasised that Under-15 and Under-17 squads are critical pathways to senior national teams and warned that poorly organised or biased selections risk sidelining genuine talent in favour of those with the means to attend trials. "Junior national teams are a vital step in building strong senior squads. If we overlook talent at this stage, the Warriors will suffer in the long run," he noted.

The former captain advocated for structured programmes monitored over time rather than ad-hoc activities. He stressed that national team opportunities must be accessible to all eligible players, both locally and abroad. Short notice call-ups, he said, make it practically impossible for diaspora-based players to participate due to travel, school, and financial constraints.

"National team activities must be well thought out with measurable outcomes that strengthen future squads. There may be better players locally or abroad who couldn't attend trials due to the timing of the call-up," he added.

He also offered practical recommendations for ZIFA to improve talent identification and development, including establishing regional scouting networks domestically and in the diaspora, partnering with schools, academies, and junior leagues, conducting transparent trials and training camps, and investing in qualified youth coaches to nurture raw talent.

Highlighting the upcoming Under-17 Cosafa Championships, he noted that such tournaments provide an opportunity to benchmark Zimbabwe's youth development structures against regional counterparts. "Our national team belongs to every Zimbabwean, and inclusivity must begin at the junior level. Without a fair recruitment structure, we risk losing talented players who could one day strengthen the senior team," he concluded.