Sometimes life goes full circle, taking you back to where it all began and reuniting past with present in a seamless manner. Almost 13 years after they set the local Premiership ablaze with their telepathic attacking combination that steered Caps United to their second league title in 1996, Alois Bunjira and Stewart Murisa have reunited for another worthy cause. Bunjira, the director of Chitungwiza-based Albun Soccer Academy (ASA), has roped in childhood friend and soccer mate Murisa in his ambitious project to unearth and nurture talent in the sprawling high-density suburb. ASA, which is based in Chitungwiza’s Zengeza township, is currently basking in glory after one of their products, Tatenda Elvis Tumba, was named the best player at the Copa Coca-Cola Africa Tournament held in South Africa recently. The 14-year-old Chemhanza High School striker has become the academy’s most prized asset following news he is part of the best 18 players (All Stars Copa Africa team) that will grace the 2014 World Cup to be staged in Brazil. ASA operates at Zengeza 1 High School, the learning institution that introduced Bunjira to the game in the early 90s. It has been in existence since 2011 and has three age groups namely U-15, U-17 and U-19. It boasts of a rich catchment area that has in the past produced players like former Dynamos stars Lloyd Mutasa, Alois Godzi and Gift Mudangwe, Misheck Juma (formerly with Darryn-T) and the gangly Liberty Masunda (who played for the now defunct Blackpool). Bunjira says he has the passion and zeal to promote junior players in Chitungwiza although a thin resource base has limited his outreach. “Stewart and I benefited a lot from a sound junior football system that was set up by our mentor, Wieslaw Grabowski, and we feel obliged to pave the way for the young boys in Chitungwiza. “Our target is to spread our tentacles to the whole of Chitungwiza and its surrounding areas, but lack of resources is hindering us,” said Bunjira. ASA has sought scholarships for a number of boys at Dewure, Chibi, Chemhanza and Churchill schools and currently has three players training with top-flight clubs Motor Action and Monomotapa. Bunjira spoke highly of the young Tumba but boasted that he was just one of a number of talented players at the academy. “We have talent here in Chitungwiza and Tumba is one for the future, I tell you. Our main emphasis is on building technique, tactical awareness and mental strength. “Gone are the days when young boys were made to run endlessly during training sessions,” said Bunjira. Murisa is back in the country from his long stay in South Africa and is now regularly spotted at the soccer pitch behind Gazaland shopping centre in Zengeza, demonstrating football tricks to enthusiastic budding footballers. “I am even surprised with the number of unpolished diamonds we have here in Chitungwiza and I feel it is our duty as some of the most successful players to emerge from the town to give back to the community by grooming these youngsters. “We have been friends with Alois even before we went to school and he is like a brother to me. We have come a long way and I feel I should also support him in this project,” said Murisa. Bunjira and Murisa’s striking combination began at Prince Edward School before they graduated into the Darryn-T first team and then later held the nation spellbound during their stint at Makepekepe in the late ’90s.
Posted on: Sun, 22 Sep 2013 03:50:18 +0000
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