Bossoaï¿½ï¿½s Gabriel graduates

Sisasenkosi Ncube
ITaï¿½ï¿½S not many footballers in the country who pursue their education and go as high as attaining a degree, but Highlanders Football Club pace man Gabriel Nyoni has shown how possible it can be to juggle both education and a sporting career in a successful way.

Nyoni recently graduated at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) with a Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in MarketingAï¿½Aï¿½ acquiring a 2.1 classification which is a second upper class degree level.

aï¿½?It feels so encouraging and motivating to keep moving forward. Doing something that most footballers have not done is humbling, this also means that I am now a role model for other young sports people out there,aï¿½? he said.

The Bosso forward went on to talk about the importance of education as a back-up plan especially for football players whose career is short and cannot sustain them for a lifetime.

aï¿½?Football is a great but short career, it has a life span of approximately 10 to 12 years, and thus you have to plan for life after football. A footballersaï¿½ï¿½ life is a story; people would want to know what you will be doing after your career in the sport, so you might not work towards a degree like me, but a course of some sorts may assist in the future,aï¿½? Nyoni said.

He added that footballers could also prepare for the future by investing in other things that will keep one going after football.

It must have been trying times for the forward with school pressure and sometimes falling out of the match day squad owing to a number of injuries, but that did not keep him from balancing his academics and working towards worming his way to Bossoaï¿½ï¿½s first team.

aï¿½?School is very challenging and professional football is very demanding, but I had to manage my time very well and be mentally strong at the same time avoiding activities that wasted my time,aï¿½? said Nyoni.

He also extended his gratitude to his current club for making it flexible for him to attend his studies and his parents who also rallied behind him.

The former Bulawayo Chiefs and Masvingo United player also said it was not the end of his academic journey as he was also planning on getting a Masters degree and a PhD.

aï¿½?I will be hoping to pursue my studies further next year, but that will depend with the contract I get since itaï¿½ï¿½s (contract) running out this year with Highlanders. I am also thinking of getting a coaching certificate just to expand my opportunities in life,aï¿½? Nyoni said.