‘I WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER THAN MESSI’
…Collins Mbesuma says after launching the Copperbelt Youth tournament
By MICHAEL MIYOBA
FORMER Chipolopolo striker Collins Mbesuma says he would have been better than Barcelona star Lionel Messi if the development of his football career had started from the grassroots.
After launching the King David Copperbelt Youth Tournament scheduled to kick off on June 26 in Luanshya, Mbesuma, who wore his first football boots when he was 15 years old at Roan United FC said he struggled to adjust playing with soccer boots after spending most of his childhood playing barefooted.
“To be honest, if I started playing football with boots from as young as six years I would have been better than Messi.
“I wore my first soccer boots when I was at Roan United main team. Imagine how many years I played barefooted,” said the University of Pretoria FC striker who once played for Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs before trekking to Portsmouth in England.
Mbesuma said his vision is to see Zambian football grow from the grassroots where more opportunities are needed for the youth to develop their talents.
He said the King David Copperbelt Youth Tournament is crucial because it will give youths in Luanshya the exposure needed for their growth.
The King David Copperbelt Youth tournament which has attracted youth teams from Nkana, Napsa Stars, Zesco United and Ronald Kampamba’s academy Sate Sate Academy will run from June 26 to June 27 in Luanshya.