In an exclusive interview with The Zimbabwean this week, Mukahanana said: “I would love to be involved especially with U-17 or U-20 teams as I am fresh from class. Player development is my passion and I will have to do it for my country for them to qualify for their first major World Cup.”
Mukahanana also believes the current crop of senior players is technical weak as a lot has to be done to improve their performance.
“Our players are technically weak and that is the reason we don't have many players in top leagues. Player development and coach development run parallel. You both develop with each other's help. I am not ready for senior teams because there is huge amount of experience required at the training to compete level.
Working with youths is easier if you have the knowledge because its technically based. I have been tested at UEFA level and found highly competent.
“Winning games is another thing altogether – but you can't expect to win
or succeed without a high standard of technical education for players,” he added.
“One day would love to coach my beloved Zim Saints.. I believe I owe them something, they made me a better player on earth and I have to repay them.”
Currently based in Canada where he runs his Soccer Academy, Mukahanana started his career with Zimbabwe Saints when he was 17-years-old in a debut against Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium. He also featured for Zimbabwean Junior National sides U-17, 20, 23 under the tutelage of Steve Kwashi and Wesley Grabowski. He played for the senior side under the mentorship of Bruce Grobbler and Porterfield.
In 1995 Mukahanana got a scholarship from US California State University, where he featured for Des Moines Menace, USL Central Coast Roadrunners and Clinciatt in A-league. The nomadic Eddie also had a brief spell with Russian league outfit Rostov F.C in 2001. In 2002, he was forced out of the club by an injury and returned to US where he retired in 2002.
Post published in: Football