Rumbidzayi Zinyuke-Senior Reporter

Ghanaian football legend Asamoah Gyan has encouraged African footballers to use their influence to fight the rising scourge of drug and substance abuse among young people.

Gyan, who is on a visit to Zimbabwe, made the call after meeting Health and Child Care Minister  Dr Douglas Mombeshora, where they discussed issues including the empowerment of youths.

Drug use is a serious problem among youths in many African countries, fuelled by poverty and unemployment among other causes. 

Gyan said it is imperative that footballers invest in the youth to safeguard their future.

“We want to represent the youth, because we were taken off the streets when we started our careers, and here we are today. 

“So I think if we mentor these youngsters who are involved in drugs and other street activities, we can use our influence to get them off the streets. As I said, we represent the youth, and we’re going to do everything we can to get them off the streets,” he said.

Zimbabwe launched a national Drug Master Plan (2020-2025) in 2021 to address the issue of drug and substance abuse. 

This year, Government approved the Zimbabwe Multi-Drug and Substance Abuse Plan (2024-2030), a comprehensive plan to address the growing threat of drug and substance abuse to public health, economic growth, national security, and social stability. An inter-ministerial taskforce on drug and substance abuse is also in place.

The most commonly abused substances in Zimbabwe include alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, cocaine, crystal meth, and controlled medicines such as codeine and broncleer.

Gyan emphasised the importance of mentoring young people to keep them occupied and away from drugs.

On Wednesday, he met President Mnangagwa and among the topics was youth development.

He said his meeting with the President was productive and laid the groundwork for future visits to Zimbabwe.

“We had a very successful meeting with the President. 

“As I said, I also represent the youth, and I told him what I could do to help young people in this country. He was really happy because the youth are our future. 

“He agreed that young people are the future, not just in Zimbabwe but in Africa. So we have a lot of plans. 

“If there’s something we can do to help young people, we will come to Zimbabwe and do whatever we need to do,” he said.

Gyan said he was working with partners to find investment opportunities in Zimbabwe’s health sector after meeting the Health Minister.

“We came to see what Zimbabwe needs, not just Zimbabwe, we’ve been doing this all over Africa, but I think it’s time to explore Zimbabwe as well. 

“We’ve been here for a few days, and we’ve seen what we can do to help young people and the Government. So I’m using my connections to make sure we come and explore.

“We spoke with Minister Mombeshora about how to explore investments and opportunities in the country’s health sector and how to empower young people. I believe I can use my connections and opportunities to come and invest in Zimbabwe. 

“So we discussed a lot about the health sector and the country as a whole. We felt that Zimbabwe is a land of opportunity that many investors can invest in. 

“Honestly, I already feel at home and love the country,” he said.

 They also discussed how to deal with pandemics, other diseases in Africa, and immunisation.

Gyan is the ambassador for Trek Secure, a Dubai-based healthcare company working on ways to track and effectively deal with health pandemics.

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has unveiled a preliminary squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

The first match will be an away fixture against the Super Eagles of Nigeria on June 7th at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

They will then return home to host the Zimbabwean Warriors on June 11th at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. This will be their first match at the stadium since their historic 2-1 victory over France in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The 36-man squad includes some exciting new faces, such as Orlando Pirates’ rising star Relebohile Mofokeng and Stellenbosch’s duo of Thabo Maloisane and Devin Titus. The squad will be trimmed down to 23 players by Hugo Broos before the qualifiers.

RELEBOHILE MOFOKENG AMONG FRESH FACES IN THE BAFANA SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS:

Ronwen Williams, Bruce Bvuma, Ricardo Goss, Veli Mothwa

DEFENDERS:

Sydney Mobbie, Innocent Maela, Given Msimango, Khuliso Mudau, Siyabonga Ngezana, Thabiso Monyane, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mothobi Mvala, Terrence Mashego, Grant Kekana, Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Tapelo Xoki, Thabo Maloisane

MIDFIELDERS:

Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas, Grant Margeman, Sphephelo Sithole, Jayden Adams

FORWARDS:

Themba Zwane, Patric Maswanganyi, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Mihlali Mayambela, Devin Titus, Mlondi Mbanjwa, Elias Mokwana, Percy Tau, Oswin Appollis, Iqraam Rayners, Lyle Foster, Relebohile Mofokeng

Bafana have played two qualifying matches so far, winning 2-1 against Benin in a match that was played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban and went on to lose 2-0 to Rwanda at Stade Huye.

With three points in the pocket, SA currently, sits second on the log behind Rwanda. Meanwhile, the group’s favourites Nigeria are in position three with two draws they played against Zimbabwe and Lesotho.

RELATED STORY: Komphela backs Arrows forward to represent Bafana in future

Bangladesh and Zimbabwe are preparing for the last T20 International (T20I) of their 5-match series, scheduled to occur at the prestigious Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka.

With Bangladesh holding a commanding 4-0 lead in the series, they stand on the verge of a complete sweep. On the other hand, Zimbabwe are determined to salvage pride and prevent a whitewash by clinching a victory in the final match.

Zimbabwe tour of Bangladesh 2024, 5th T20I:

• Date and Time: May 12, 9:30 am IST/ 04:00 am GMT/ 10:00 am local
• Venue: Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Dhaka

Sher-e-Bangla Stadium Pitch Report:

The Sher-e-Bangla Stadium offers a balanced playing field, conducive to both bowlers and batters. The pitches here generally maintain a moderate pace, providing favourable conditions for spinners who often find considerable assistance. As a result, spin bowlers tend to thrive at this venue, frequently surpassing their pace-bowling counterparts and making significant contributions to the wicket tally. Matches played at this stadium often see spinners taking the lead role in shaping the outcome.

BAN vs ZIM Dream11 Prediction Picks:

• Wicketkeepers: Clive Madande
• Batters: Mahmudullah, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tanzid Hasan, Brian Bennett
• All-rounders: Shakib al Hasan, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams
• Bowlers: Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Blessing Muzarabani

BAN vs ZIM Dream11 Prediction Captain and Vice-Captain:

Choice 1: Shakib al Hasan (c), Sean Williams (vc)
Choice 2: Tanzid Hasan (c), Mustafizur Rahman (vc)

Also Watch: Zimbabwe miss double run-out chance in comedy of errors against Bangladesh in 4th T20I

BAN vs ZIM Dream11 Prediction Backups:

Soumya Sarkar, Craig Ervine, Shoriful Islam, Litton Das

BAN vs ZIM Dream11 Team for today’s match (May 12, 04:00 am GMT):

Squads:

Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Litton Kumar Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Soumya Sarkar, Tanvir Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin

Zimbabwe: Johnathan Campbell, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Clive Madande (wk), Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Joylord Gumbie, Ainsley Ndlovu, Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett

Also Watch: Brian Bennett cleans up Shakib Al Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto in BAN vs ZIM 4th T20I