The 2026 Willard Katsande U16 Tournament is just weeks away, promising a showcase of Zimbabwe’s best young football talent when teams from across the region descend on Chisamba this 4–5 April. Fans and scouts alike are gearing up for two days of energetic competition, skillful play, and rising prospects in grassroots football.
Named after Zimbabwean football legend Willard Katsande, this ninth‑edition tournament celebrates the former Warriors and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder’s legacy of passion and commitment to developing young players. Katsande, now deeply involved in youth coaching through his own Kitoko Soccer School, has long championed opportunities for emerging talent to gain competitive exposure and professional pathways in the sport.
This year’s lineup features eight U16 teams from across Zimbabwe, all vying for honours and a chance to impress onlookers:
- Western Villa Soccer Academy
- Brighter Days Sports Academy
- Mutare City Rovers
- La Sakubva
- Chipinge Junior Soccer Academy
- Sakubva United Academy
- Majesa Academy
- Kitoko Soccer School
Organisers say the tournament is not just about winning trophies but about building character, improving technique, and exposing young players to competitive football environments, a crucial step for those aiming to break into provincial or national age‑group sides.
Many of these academies have produced players who have gone on to represent Zimbabwe at youth international levels, and scouts from local clubs will be on the ground to identify standout performers. With teams like Mutare City Rovers and Majesa Academy known for nurturing attacking flair, and Kitoko Soccer School increasingly respected for technical training under Katsande’s guidance, supporters can expect a thrilling mix of styles. One coach involved in recent editions said:
“This tournament is about more than trophies. It’s about creating pathways for boys who dream of playing for Zimbabwe’s top clubs or even the national team one day.”
Young footballers, families, and football fans from across the Midlands and beyond are expected to pack the Chisamba grounds in April for what promises to be a celebration of youth football and future stars.
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