The Sunday News
Sports Correspondent
FORMER Highlanders and Chicken Inn striker Mkhokheli Dube has turned to junior football development. Dube (32), who was recently released by Castle Lager Premier Soccer League log leaders Chicken Inn, has formed Zebra Revolution FC, which he expects to play in the Zifa Bulawayo Junior League next year.
The club has already started training sessions for various age groups and is also playing non-competitive matches.
“I want to work with the youngsters and develop them. Since attaining my coaching badges I have been toying with this idea but I think this is the right time to start. I want to emphasise this is a developmental project and we are not worried about winning, the aim is to create well-rounded players who can go out there and represent the country well in various tournaments,’’ said Dube.
“Once you start focusing on winning I think we might fail to impart the necessary skills these boys need to have to become complete players.”
Dube conducts his training sessions at Mahlabezulu Primary School in Tshabalala and has players aged between eight and 18.
The former American Major Soccer League player, however, said he was not putting a lid on his football career although he now has a Level Two coaching certificate and a Level Four Brazil certificate.
“I am still young and believe my legs can still carry me, I am not hanging my boots and am looking at the available options and will certainly be getting back into the field as a player,” he said.
Dube started his career at Zimbabwe Saints juniors but later crossed over to Highlanders where he made inroads into the game before leaving for the United States where he initially played college soccer.
He joined Michigan Bucks in 2005 then moved to New England Revolution in 2008.
He moved to Chicago Fire in the same League in 2012 but failed to make any appearances for the side in his brief spell with the club. He moved to South Africa, where he played briefly for AmaZulu, before returning to Zimbabwe were he signed up with the Gamecocks.
