Cloud Fusire
Senior Sports Writer
FOOTBALL scout and player developer, Jomo Dyson has embarked on an ambitious programme aimed at creating opportunities for talented Zimbabwean footballers to play in Belgium after visa restrictions in the United Kingdom stalled the progress of one of his most promising prospects, 17-year-old Anotida Timire.
Timire, who has previously attracted interest from the academies of Manchester City, Leeds United, Blackburn Rovers and Port Vale, saw his hopes of pursuing a professional career in England affected by regulations governing dependants of healthcare workers on Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) visas.
Dyson, founder of PYE Football Scouting Trials and Development, had previously attempted to lobby the UK government to amend the policy to allow dependants of healthcare workers to participate in professional football. However, the petition failed to reach the 10 000 signatures required for parliamentary consideration.
With Timire still regarded as an exceptional talent, Dyson has turned to Belgium, where he is using his network to secure scouting opportunities for the youngster.
Dyson recently collaborated with WIA, a move that helped another player of Zimbabwean descent, Ezzie Sibanda, secure an assessment with a top-flight Swedish club.
Although he is yet to facilitate the direct move of a home-based Zimbabwean player to Europe, Dyson revealed that the 2027 PYE Football Scouting event will be held in Zimbabwe.
“All we need are talented boys. We are a solid, established, and reputable football scouting platform with players in elite Championship and Premier League academies. Some of our boys have earned professional contracts at clubs like Sunderland, Watford, and Sheffield Wednesday FC,” Dyson told the Daily News.
The scout said Zimbabwe possesses abundant raw talent, but local players need greater tactical understanding to compete successfully in Europe.
“It’s not just about dribbling or showing off fancy skills,” said Dyson. “It’s about understanding and applying the tactical aspects of the game and making the right decisions.”
According to Dyson, this tactical gap partly explains why Zimbabwean players have yet to break through in Europe despite the presence of some local academies who have partnerships with European clubs. Dyson said he witnessed the importance of tactical development during the Manchester City International Cup for Under-11 teams at the Etihad Campus, where Real Madrid’s youngsters outplayed academy sides from Liverpool and Arsenal.
Despite the challenges, Dyson believes Zimbabwe can eventually bridge the gap with Europe’s leading football nations through improved player development structures and commended locals who have entered into partnerships with European clubs, saying the introduction of the Spanish academy syllabus and style of play — Spain’s Real Betis and Real Oviedo are among the Spanish clubs who have academy links in Zimbabwe — could eventually benefit local football.