By Rangarirai Shanyurai
Former Caps United football star Albert Manyevere is on a mission to scout for untapped talent in the rural areas of Madzivadondo, Chivi through his newly formed Alman Sports Academy.
The former footballer is giving back to the community, scouting untapped talent and bridging the gap between urban and rural football, offering opportunities to undiscovered athletes.
The Alman Sports Academy which was founded in 2024 focuses on identifying rural talent in Madzivadondo, Chivi mainly under-16 players and below.
In an interview with TellZim News, 58 year old Manyevere said the academy’s goal was to unite individuals with passion for sports, noting the abundance of young talent in rural areas often overlooked by traditional talent scouts who focus on urban regions.
He emphasized the importance of nurturing talent, steering youth away from drug abuse, and providing opportunities for personal and national growth.
“I’ve come across lots of young talent in my rural home but talent seekers mainly scout in urban areas. Looking back at my school days I’m sad to see how some bright students got caught up in drug and substance abuse and missed their chances in football.
“The academy’s mission is to promote, nurture and enhance talent while discouraging drug and substance abuse to unlock their earning potential and contribute to the country’s prosperity.
“The academy aims at uniting individuals with passion for sports and develop them to be professionals” said Manyevere.
Manyevere said the academy is a group of male and female soccer players and encouraged individuals in various sporting activities are encouraged to join them.
“At the moment we are inviting athletes in different sports to come forward, enabling us to nurture and promote their skills. Currently we utilize facilities at Mudadisi Primary and High Schools for training purposes,” said Manyevere.
Manyevere added that he sees himself and his teammates running one of the most successful rural academies.
“Within the next five years, I want to make a difference in the lives of young rural people through the academy. God willing, I see my teammates and I running one of the most successful academies in Zimbabwe. My ambition is driven by passion to empower rural youth through sports, fostering talent, discipline and character,” he said.
Manyevere said the coaching leadership consists of Farai Mamombe, Lucy Hamani, Morris Chinenyanga and Rangarirai Gava and they were looking for partners, promoters and sponsors .
Chinenyanga said the focus of the youth academy was on nurturing talent and creating a select few players who will leave a lasting impact in history. He said this involved identifying, developing young players through a collaborative process involving parents and academy members.
“Youth academy is not about a mass production of players, it is about nurturing talent producing few players that will make history. The important thing is to identify few players and nurture them to become big players.
“The academy primarily requires young players. We plan to have a meeting involving parents and academy members to discuss the necessary procedures. These young players are under supervision while residing with their parents, so parental awareness is crucial due to potential consequences.
Despite risks in football, our academy continues to grow, facing financial challenges in supporting players. We have established a unique philosophy within the academy that must be adhered to,” said Chinenyanga.
Manyevere was born on December 7, 1966 and attended his education at Pfumo Primary and Zengeza 1 High School in Chitungwiza. His football journey started with the division 1 team called Siso Bushbucks in 1988 when he was 22 years old. In 1989 he was spotted by Sunday Marimo Chidzambwa and joined CAPS United.
