Madinda Ndlovu Urges Stronger Grassroots Structures to Nurture Young Football Talent at CKN Tournament Finals

Loraine Phiri

Zebras Revolution, River Plate, La Masia, Tshabalala Warriors and Nkulumane High emerged as champions at the Cecil K Nyoni (CKN) Foundation Soccer Tournament Finals on Saturday, as guest of honour Madinda Ndlovu called on stakeholders to strengthen grassroots structures and create a stronger pathway for developing young football talent.

Speaking to players, coaches, parents, and community leaders at the Indlovu Youth Centre in Tshabalala, the legendary former Zimbabwe international and Highlanders winger emphasized that grassroots success must be measured beyond winning trophies.

“Sports is not just about winning today. It is about building young people who will lead tomorrow,” Ndlovu said. “Even small clubs need strong administration, accountability, and structure because a club with strong administration becomes an institution.”

Ndlovu urged closer collaboration between key stakeholders in a child’s development, noting that “when parents, schools, and clubs work together and speak the same language, the child wins.”

Turning to youth development directly, he advocated for a focus on fundamentals: “We must invest in our youngest players—the Under-10s and 12s—by giving them skills, play time, and proper facilities rather than focusing on trophies. Today’s Under-10 is tomorrow’s national team.”

Addressing the social pressures facing young people across the country, Ndlovu issued an urgent plea against substance abuse. “To you young players, please stay away from drugs. Drugs can destroy your health, talent, education, and ultimately your future. Choose your friends wisely, make good decisions, and remember there is no shame in asking for help when you need it.”

The decisive day featured action across five age divisions. Zebras Revolution won the boys Under-10 title after beating Matric FC 1-0, with Tapiwa scoring the decisive goal. River Plate finished third.

River Plate claimed the under-12 championship with a 1-0 victory over Tshabalala Warriors. Zebras finished third.

In the newly introduced under-13 boys’ category, La Masia defeated Tshabalala Warriors 1-0 through a Kudakwashe Chitsero goal. Asibambaneni FC took third place.

Tshabalala Warriors won the Girls under-13 title after beating Asibambaneni 3-0. Pando Phiri, Nompumelelo Magaraseyi and Chloe scored for the champions.

The High School Girls final ended 1-1 between Nkulumane High and Ihlathi High before Nkulumane won on penalties. Mbali Dube scored for Nkulumane, while Pretty Girl Sibanda was on target for Ihlathi.

CKN Foundation founder Cecil Nyoni, a former Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest midfielder, encouraged the young participants to view Ndlovu’s career as an example of what can be achieved through discipline and dedication.

“Madinda Ndlovu has set the standard that every young footballer here should aim towards,” Nyoni said. “He became known, respected, and legendary something that does not happen through talent alone. It takes discipline, sacrifice, and years of putting in hard work especially when no one is watching.”

Nyoni also had a message for the teams that fell short in the finals, urging them to treat defeat as part of their development.

“Football and life will not always go the way you want. There will be victories, defeats, and setbacks, but what defines you is not the setback, but how you respond, how hard you work, and how you rise again.”

Simosethu Malunga, Senior Recreation Lead at Indlovu Youth Centre, highlighted the visible impact of the tournament on local youth over the course of the competition.

“At the beginning, some of the children were a bit shy and hesitant, but as the days went by, they became more confident in expressing themselves, working as teams, and taking responsibility,” Malunga noted.

 “The partnership between Tshabalala-Sizinda Old School and Indlovu Youth Centre shows that we do not always need massive resources to make a meaningful difference. Sisebenza ngokukhona, sithembe ukuthi ontanga bakholise njalo bakhule kuhle endaweni yabo.”

Malunga concluded that providing structured, safe sports environments helps protect youth from social vulnerabilities: “We are not simply developing athletes; we are helping to develop confident, responsible, and talented future leaders.”

The sense of collective effort was echoed by Tshabalala-Sizinda Old School organising secretary Roy Phiri, who expressed gratitude for the unwavering support received from the CKN Foundation, Arch 360 Branding, Indlovu Youth Centre, Tshabalala-Sizinda Old School, Khaya Arts, Mr Sinkwa, Matebeleland Pulse and the wider Tshabalala and Sizinda communities.

Adding to the spirit of support, Mr KT Mamvura donated sporting equipment, including cones and soccer balls, to Tshabalala Warriors, while also presenting Mqondisi Moyo with a pair of football boots.

The CKN tournament, now in its second year, is part of an initiative aimed at providing young people with a safe and structured sporting environment, keeping children off the streets while identifying and developing football talent in underprivileged communities across Tshabalala, Sizinda, Nkulumane and Mganwini.