Zimbabwe: Duo for Germany Trials

Kevin Mapasure

23 June 2011

Germany beckons for two of Zimbabwe’s hottest football talents, Achieford Gutu and Abbas Amidu, as the Young Warriors continue to attract European interest.

Dynamos’ Gutu, who has already tried his luck in Bulgaria and Turkey, is lined up for another European shot with Bundesliga side Hamburg SV together with Black Mambas’ Amidu.

The local league gems have been recommended to German clubs by Zifa technical advisor Klaus-Dieter Pagels.

In an interview with IndependentSport, the German said he had recommended the two as he felt they had all the makings of what is sought after in Europe, particularly in his home country.

“I have recommended them to the Hamburg manager who is willing to have a look at them next month and they will also have trials with Hoffenheim. We are only waiting for official invites, but they will be going for the trials,” said Pagels.

“I think Gutu is very good technically and his style would fit in Bundesliga system but the only problem for him is that he is too soft. He needs to work on that because you have to be physically strong to be successful in Germany; besides that he is a good playmaker who is very talented.”

Pagels said he had already talked to Hamburg team manager Bernd Welzmeyer, who has also recommended the players to coach Michael Oenning, who is willing to give the duo a chance.

“They said that they will be inviting the players when they begin pre-season training and they are looking to give them a week’s trial stint. When they do get that opportunity it is up to them to utilise; we will do our part to open up such opportunities for deserving players.”

If any Hoffenheim deal is to be struck, the players will have to go through Lutz Pfannenstial, known to Zimbabweans as Tom Saintfiet’s goalkeeper’s coach, who is now a global scout at the club.

Despite his brushes with the country’s authorities last year when Pfannenstial was deported after working without a permit, he has promised that he would be organising for Zimbabwean players to go for the trials.

For Amidu, Pagels said he sees a Christiano Ronaldo type of player who can take on defenders and dribble at high speed.

According to the coach, if Amidu is exposed to the right training and conditions, he can be a better player than Ronaldo.

“He knows what to do with the ball, for me he is just like Ronaldo and he can be better, he passes the ball better and he is not selfish and he is good technically and strong too.”

In his first trial stint in Europe this year, Gutu trained with PFC Litex Lovech in Bulgaria but failed to make the grade, yet Pagels believes the player can still make it in Europe.

Meanwhile the Zimbabwe national Under-20 team will be going to Germany for a two-week training camp which will see them play five friendly matches.

The Young Warriors will travel together with the Mighty Warriors who are set for a training camp during the same period.

After thrashing out a deal for the women’s national team, bound for the All Africa Games in Mozambique this September, Pagels has also organised a programme for the junior team to train under different conditions.

Arrangements are at an advanced stage, with tickets and travel arrangements all in place.

The Young Warriors will use the training camp as preparation for this year’s Cosafa Cup and major continental tournaments next year.

AllAfrica – All the Time