MARONDERA - As Zimbabwe continues to display mediocre football at local, regional and international competitions, the countrys best soccer talent is languishing in prison. An inter-prison soccer showcase organized by the Zimbabwe Prison Fellowship to identify and nurture talent in prison treated soccer fans at Saint Thomas Prison to flawless and highly entertaining footwork last week. The event would have offered a superb opportunity for soccer star scouts to make valuable signings. All players would be out of prison before start of next soccer season.
Zimbabwe Prison Fellowship is organizing recreational activities such as games for prisoners around the country. Inter-Prison competitions will culminate in inter-district and provincial challenge matches. Manicaland inter-district competitions are scheduled to be played at Rudhaka Stadium soon.
The aim of the sports gala is to make inmates keep in touch and be part of outside communities. We want prisoners to be easily rehabilitated and re-integrated back into society. It is unfortunate that the country struggles to make formidable national soccer teams while talent is lying idle in prison. My organization plans to help train both coaches and players to perfect soccer skills, said Zimbabwe Prison Fellowship Executive Director, Peter Mandiyanike.
Outstanding talent was displayed by playmaker and man of the match, Taurai Marion (26). He was central striker for Rijigita Prison which went on to beat Saint Thomas 6-5 in penalty shoot-outs. The official 90 minutes of full-time ended with the teams deadlocked 1-1.
Marion, who plied his soccer trade at Chegutu Pirates in division one before incarceration, displayed stunning footwork. A striker endowed with fast pace and capable of packing powerful shots with either foot, he put Rijigita in the lead after 17 minutes of play and scored a spectacular gem of a goal from 20 meters.
Rijigita, with Leon Muraga (30) between goal posts, Tawanda Chawatama (26) in the middle of the park and the deadly combination of Taurai and Fungai Mukala (23) spearheading the attack, left thrilled spectators wondering where Zimbabwe football went wrong with such abundance of talent.
When Saint Thomas found an equalizer and tables seemed turned against Rijigita, Marion assumed a defensive role and marshaled the defense with the authority of a veteran.
Muraga provided safe and reliable hands between goal posts. Given an opportunity, he would hold his own among Premier League goalkeepers. The quartet proved Premier League material.
After 90 minutes of spectacular footwork, the ultimate penalty shoot out was icing on the cake. Penalties were taken with such precision, it would make strikers at the just ended FIFA games green with envy.
Both male and female inmates were given an opportunity to support their teams out of the confines of the prison. Drum-beat and song reverberated through the neighbourhood as inmate supporters urged their fellow prisoners teams to victory.
After life in Prison, we look forward to playing football at high and competitive levels, said the four soccer stars.
If Rijigita alone is home to such talent, how much artistic footwork is imprisoned at various prisons around the country? asked a soccer fan.
Post published in: News