Chronicle Editor
Nkosilathi Sibanda, [email protected]
BINGA Football Academy’s stocks keep on rising, with their latest score being having a player going for a football scholarship in China.
The 18-year-old player, Tadiwa Mpofu, who is presently attached to Binga Pirates, is a Form Four pupil at Binga High School.
Binga Football Academy director Pride Ngwenya revealed to Zimpapers Sports yesterday that Mpofu is headed to China for assessment.
The player is scheduled to travel next month.
“We would like to inform our valued stakeholders and associates that one of our players, who is attached to Binga Pirates FC, Tadiwa Mpofu, has been invited to China for a football scholarship starting next month,” said Ngwenya.
He said Mpofu, a midfield player, is on loan to Binga Pirates where he has been playing in the Zifa Southern Division One League for the past two seasons.
The player’s movement to China, according to Ngwenya, is part of an ongoing Government initiative with the People’s Republic of China.
“We are yet to know the team which Tadiwa will join but this is a programme between the governments of Zimbabwe and China. We are yet to get full information as to which team and place he will be going to. All the same, we are preparing for his journey. It means a lot to him, the academy and all the teams in Binga. It’s inspiring,” he said.
Ngwenya said Mpofu’s travelling dates will be announced in due course.
He said Mpofu deserves the scholarship as he, in the past seasons, displayed remarkable football skills which attracted scouts.
“Anyone who has watched Tadiwa’s game agrees that he is destined for greater heights. He is a hardworking boy. He is well disciplined on and off the pitch. We pray that all goes well as this stint in China will help to open doors for talented boys and girls from marginalised places like Binga,” said Ngwenya.
Mpofu has already been assisted by the Binga North Member of Parliament Chineka Muchimba who paid for his passport.
“Our player now has a passport paid for by our MP. His going to China will inspire other budding footballers from this district and other areas across the country. Binga Pirates Football Club has been playing a big part in exposing our player to other stages of the game. We say thank you. In the same vein we appreciate the support from Government through this scholarship programme for young players from marginalised areas,” said Ngwenya.
Mpofu is over the moon on the prospect of going to China.
“This is big for me and I’m looking forward to it,” he said. — @NkosieLegend
Online Reporter