Former Warriors international Shingi Kawondera has revealed plans to set up a football academy in Ruwa.

The 36-year-old who played for CAPS United before his retirement has been engaging other retired players Darlington Choto, Justice Majabvi and Tinashe Nengomasha regarding the project.

In an interview with the Sunday Mail, Kawondera said they want to invest in the juniors and have already identified a place where they will set up the academy.

“A lot of opportunities are coming up, just yesterday (last Wednesday) DC (Darlington Choto) Jussy (Justice Majabvi) and Tinashe (Nengomasha) were here, and we discussed a lot of projects,” he told the newspaper.

“It’s too early to reveal some of the things, but we have identified a place here in Ruwa where we want to start an Academy.

“You see, there’s a lot of talent in Zimbabwe, but there’s no more junior football. It’s like these boys are going straight from school into the top flight.

“We were embarrassed at the recently held Cosafa Under 17 tournament, and to me, that was a wakeup call. We need to invest in the juniors if we are to have a better future. Every PSL team should have junior teams.”

Kawondera is one of the many beneficiaries of a sound junior program by Polish mentor Wieslaw Grabowski during the 90s. The likes of Norman Mapeza, Lloyd Chitembwe, Edelbert Dinha, Gift Muzadzi, Stewart Murisa and Alois Bunjira are some of the names that rose to prominence thanks to Grabowski’s passion for junior players.