Soccer coaching is a tough world, but Talent is fo...

Soccer coaching is a tough world, but Talent is forging ahead

Patience Muchemwa

“I have been playing soccer for as long as I can remember, however, in 2012 I began expanding and I started to see the game a little differently. I found myself analysing game strategy and practice structure in a different way and sparked my interest in the idea of becoming a coach myself,” Talent Sakutombo explains how she started on the road to soccer coaching.

Growing up in Makoni in Rusape and attending Gandanzara Primary School, Talent started playing soccer at a very early age. There was no girls’ team but that was not a problem for the talented youngster or her teachers.

“In Grade Four, the boys’ soccer coach put me on the B team,” Talent recalls.

When she went to high school at Gwidza in 2000 she found her space and was soon making waves in girls’ soccer.

She made it to the Manicaland Province team several times and scooped some awards.

In 2006, she moved to Harare and joined Glenview Queens. She used to travel from Mabvuku to Glen View for training. In 2012, she went to Mufakose Queens. In 2012, Sakutombo joined Catalan Queens in Highfields.

It was during this time that she decided that coaching was something that she really wanted to pursue and formed Lions Academy in Eastview Park.

“By that time I was the sports master at Bradford College which is in Eastview, I then started to pick some young boys who were interested in soccer from several schools from Eastview, Mabvuku and Tafara.

“I got most of my players from Tafara 5, Tsinhirano and Mwanandishe primary schools.”

Sakutombo admired the talent in the young boys from Eastview and Mabvuku Tafara and chose to be their coach on a private basis.

“My love for coaching expanded as I saw with my own eyes the impact that I, as a coach, can have on children’s love for the game.”

Being the coach did not stop her from playing the game. In 2014, she played for Support Unity Queens two years before joining Harare City Queens from 2016 to 2019.

Sakutombo then went on to join Yadah Queens for a short period of time. Currently she is playing for Dynamos Queens.

Since the formation of Lions Academy, the biggest challenge that Sakutombo is facing is the shortage of training equipment.

“Lions Academy parents and supporters are my sponsors, they provide me with anything they have to push my dream forwards.

“Usually players pay some small amount like 50 cents to fund the games. I use the money to pay the referees, transport, food and other requirements.”

During every school holidays, she travels with the players to different places for some tournaments.

“Most holidays I go on a weekly academic tournaments with my team in places such as Chivhu, Mutare, Marondera, Bulawayo and many other places.”

Although it is tough, Sakutombo is rewarded by the results of all the hard work she and her protégés put in.

“So far, I have more than 20 trophies from all the age groups that I coach.”

The other challenge that Sakutombo is facing is that she doesn’t have any assistant coaches since she can’t afford to pay them.

Lions Academy is also not registered with the Zimbabwe Football Association as the cost is beyond her reach and she is losing potential revenue.

“Some big registered teams are taking advantage of my unregistered team and take the players that I groom without giving me any token of appreciation.”

Sakutombo’s Lions Academy has age groups from five to sixteen years.

Sakutombo said football isn’t paying her enough to cover needs including her son’s school fees, rentals and food. She is also an extended family breadwinner who looks after her folks back in the rural area.

So Sakutombo earns extra cash as a vendor of kitchen utensils in her neighbourhood.

“I wake up at around four in the morning to go and order my stuff at the industries which are located near Mbare area. I do this in the morning so that I won’t be late for training.

“After training in the evening that’s when I move around selling my things.”

Sakutombo encourages other female athletes who want to be into coaching to have confidence in themselves.

“Finally, I want to let any other aspiring female coach know that, no matter your age, you can do it too. Be confident, be curious.”