Bantu Rovers player for Italy

Nkosilodumo Ndebele
BANTU Rovers utility player Simbarashe Sibanda is set to leave for Italy at the end of the month to join an Italian football academy, Rio Vacenza.

The 14-year-old striker was scouted while turning out for Bantu Rovers juniors last year by the academyaï¿½ï¿½s scout David Sanazora.

aï¿½?I am very happy that I got an opportunity to go and play in Italy. Playing football makes me happy and it has always been my dream to go and play for Juventus. Now that Iaï¿½ï¿½m going to play in Italy I feel closer to accomplishing my dream,aï¿½? said Sibanda.

The young nimble-footed striker also mentioned that he wouldnaï¿½ï¿½t have managed to go to Italy without support from his parents.

aï¿½?From the first time I kicked the ball my mother supported me. In Grade 1 she made arrangements with my teacher at Masiyephambili Primary School that I must practise with Grade 3s. She groomed me at a younger, age thataï¿½ï¿½s why I managed to shine more than my peers and impress the Italian scout,aï¿½? said Sibanda.

Sibanda joined Bantu Rovers in 2014 from the Highlanders junior side following his coach Dumaza Sibanda who had left for the development side, Bantu, otherwise known as Tshintsha Guluva that same year.

The young striker is studying at Durban Boys High in South Africa.

aï¿½?Although I am pursuing my studies, I would love to pursue football more, aï¿½? said Sibanda.

He started studying in South Africa in 2016 and he trains with Euro Soccer schools academy although during the holidays he still trains with Bantu.

aï¿½?It was important to put him there because he now spends more time in South Africa since he is learning there. We donaï¿½ï¿½t want him to only train when he is in Zimbabwe,aï¿½? said his mother Ivy Sibanda .