Murape Murape wants Zimbabwe's youth football squads picked on skill rather than status. The ex-Dynamos skipper has sent an open letter to ZIFA, asking for fair trials at Under-17, Under-20, and Under-23 levels. His main concern is how young players get picked to represent the country.
And he has no issue with kids who play abroad. His point is that a foreign club does not make someone better than a player training back home. Money, personal ties, and influence should not give any candidate an edge, either.
Local coaches and academies put in years of work, often with very little cash. Parents make big sacrifices to keep their kids in football as well. Murape thinks their efforts deserve respect when it comes to picking young talent.
His plan is pretty simple. ZIFA could run trial camps within Zimbabwe, across South Africa, and in other countries with young Zimbabwean players. From there, coaches could bring the top candidates together for matches and proper skill tests.
That would give selectors a chance to see how each player performs rather than judge them by where they live. Murape wants clear scouting rules, fair access to trials, and staff who can be held to account for their decisions.
There is a point about local youth clubs as well. Many spend what little they have on coaches, grounds, and training gear. He wants ZIFA to give those academies credit for the work they do.
Of course, fair trials cannot promise wins. But Murape argues that a clear process could help build stronger junior squads for games against other nations. He sees no need for a divide between local players and those based overseas.
For the former captain, national team spots belong to no private group or official. Every eligible player should get a real chance, with ability deciding who makes the squad. He has asked ZIFA and its technical staff to consider that approach and put the interests of Zimbabwean football first.
And he has no issue with kids who play abroad. His point is that a foreign club does not make someone better than a player training back home. Money, personal ties, and influence should not give any candidate an edge, either.
Local coaches and academies put in years of work, often with very little cash. Parents make big sacrifices to keep their kids in football as well. Murape thinks their efforts deserve respect when it comes to picking young talent.
His plan is pretty simple. ZIFA could run trial camps within Zimbabwe, across South Africa, and in other countries with young Zimbabwean players. From there, coaches could bring the top candidates together for matches and proper skill tests.
That would give selectors a chance to see how each player performs rather than judge them by where they live. Murape wants clear scouting rules, fair access to trials, and staff who can be held to account for their decisions.
There is a point about local youth clubs as well. Many spend what little they have on coaches, grounds, and training gear. He wants ZIFA to give those academies credit for the work they do.
Of course, fair trials cannot promise wins. But Murape argues that a clear process could help build stronger junior squads for games against other nations. He sees no need for a divide between local players and those based overseas.
For the former captain, national team spots belong to no private group or official. Every eligible player should get a real chance, with ability deciding who makes the squad. He has asked ZIFA and its technical staff to consider that approach and put the interests of Zimbabwean football first.
