Title: Across Thousands of Miles: A Shared Passion on the Green Pitch
BEIJING, September 5 — Seven years ago, Zimbabwean football coach Charles Chakuzva embarked on a journey that would span thousands of miles to China, where he pursued a degree in International Trade. While exploring the path of entrepreneurship, he also found a shared passion on the football field.
I enjoy traveling and experiencing different cultures around the world. I also wanted to experience the charm of ‘Made in China’ firsthand, Chakuzva said. After completing four years of undergraduate studies at Huzhou Normal University in Zhejiang Province, he was deeply impressed by the vibrant wholesale and retail industry in the region. He hopes to share his experiences and knowledge gained in China with more African friends upon his return to Zimbabwe.
In 2022, during a competition in Beijing, Chakuzva met Li Feiyu, the head of the Longding YIYA International Football Club. After a brief conversation, the two clicked instantly. Chakuzva then settled in Beijing and became a youth football coach. Recalling his decision, he said, It was very simple. We share the same passion for football and a desire to witness the growth of young footballers, allowing them to experience the beauty of the sport.
At 29, Chakuzva is still young for a football coach, but he has been playing football for 25 years. He vividly remembers his coach in Zimbabwe telling him not to focus solely on technical skills but to try to understand all aspects of the game and the sport of football. Chakuzva believes that a coach, whether 60 or 20 years old, can bring new insights to players from different perspectives.
Currently, Chakuzva coaches students aged 5 to 12 at the club, a critical period for youth football development. He enjoys one-on-one training sessions with players the most. The success of a team requires every player to strive for a high level of skill and learn how to cooperate with teammates. This is like building a house; a wall made of bricks is much harder than a thick board, he explained.
During training sessions, young players repeat ball handling, stopping, and shooting techniques under Chakuzva’s guidance. He firmly believes that only by doing every seemingly simple little thing correctly on the pitch can they make qualitative improvements over time. Any small mistake could change the outcome of a game, even causing the team to lose.
Attention to detail is both a football philosophy and a life attitude. Daily discipline, perseverance, the courage to give it all, and the awareness of teamwork are not only essential for children to grow in football but also lay a solid foundation for their personal development in life, Chakuzva noted.
For the past two years, he has thoroughly enjoyed his time on the pitch every week with his players. When children complete technical moves like their favorite football stars and are excited to stay on the field long after, I see the purest smiles and the purest love for the sport, he said.
This always reminds Chakuzva of his own childhood in Zimbabwe. After finishing his homework at home, he would shout outside, and within five minutes, he could gather more than a dozen friends to play football. A ball and an open space are enough, he said. I feel that Chinese students have very full schedules after school, making it not easy to gather a group of十几 people to play football. So, I hope to make the most of the training sessions every week.
Chakuzva currently guides an elite team of over a dozen students, with a total of three training sessions and matches per week, each lasting two hours. The club regularly organizes friendly leagues and participates in large-scale events like the 100 Teams Cup, providing players with more opportunities to compete and showcase their skills.
Back in his hometown in Zimbabwe, Chakuzva has started his own football academy over the past two years, hiring coaches to provide guidance to local youth. The 2010 World Cup in South Africa showed the world the infinite love Africans have for football. It was a carnival. Zimbabwe borders South Africa, but unfortunately, I was in high school at the time, preparing for a very important exam, so I couldn’t attend the games. I look forward to the World Cup returning to Africa, allowing the world to feel our passion, he said.
In Chakuzva’s view, life in Beijing is just right, and he has not felt lonely. If he decides it’s time to return to Zimbabwe, it will be after careful consideration. After returning home, I will continue to promote youth football exchanges between China and Africa, bringing the experience I gained in China back to Africa, he said. Of course, China-Africa cooperation is not limited to football. I hope to see more cooperation in fields like economics and trade. If I have the opportunity, I would like to contribute my own
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