The association, led by junior football chairman Zivanai (Zifa) Chiyangwa, organised a football tournament that was attended by all the 10 provinces.The tournament was structured in such a way that competition and selection started at district levels, giving all junior players a chance to be considered.
However, Harare province emerged winners after beating Bulawayo province 1-0 in the finals of the tournament.
Harare managed to beat Mashonaland Central 3-0 in the semi-finals while losing finalists Bulawayo got the better of Mashonaland East with a 2-1 win in the other semi-final match.
A total of 52 players were then selected as the national Under-14 team.
Speaking to Standarsport at Gwanzura yesterday, junior football league secretary general Lloyd Chigova said their aim was to beef up national teams from grassroot levels.
“We have discovered that our national Under-17 teams are not performing well in major tournaments because we devote limited time for preparations. But now we have since decided to come up with an Under-14 national team which we are going to drill in preparation for such tournaments. In three years time, these boys will be ready for any challenge.
“We are going to be working closely with Doctor Nick Munyonga who will work with these boys to improve on physique. The team is supposed to be in camp during all school holidays meaning that by the time these boys get to 17, they would be a formidable team,” Chigova said.
