Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
FORMER Castle Lager Premiership outfit, Mutare City Rovers’ starlet, Tinashe Mangezi, a promising youngster whose talents evidently cry for a greater platform, is one of the 11 best Pacific Storm Eastern Region Division One soccer stars-of-the-year nominees.
Just like many of his generation and those that came before him who trace their roots to the eastern border city, Mangezi started playing the game of football at Timothy ‘Sicho’ Masachi’s La Sakubva Academy in 2010.
With an eye for goal, the Mutare City Rovers 23-year-old striker played 23 matches for Gusha Bhora in the just-ended season where he was on target 11 times.
With that feat, he finished as the third top goal scorer in Pacific Storm Eastern Region Soccer League.
The former Mutare Junior School and Pamushana High School learner is part of the list that also include FC Hunters’ duo of Godfrey Dabgwa and Kudzai Taipi, Manica Diamonds Juniors’ Decibel Mukorera, FC Wangu Mazodze’s Lucky Itimu, Deportivo La Murambinda’s Francis Zvijayi, Shawn Mupesa of Great Zimbabwe University, Tenax FC’s Russel Kahiki, Rusitu Tigers’s Alpha Matsatswa, Mutare army outfit, Buffaloes’ Aldridge Mubango, Destiny Star’s Norbert Zingo as well as Masvingo United’s Valentine Chibwana.
However, those who have watched the talented youngster in action will attest to the fact that he is blessed with rare shooting accuracy, vision and passing.
Mangezi told Post Sport that his aim is to play at the highest level of the game.
“I am currently working hard to improve my game. It is my wish to play for a top-tier league club as well as improve on my endurance, speed, and agility.
“I have no doubt that I will achieve that with a little bit of hard work and the immense help that I am getting from my coaches, teammates and family,” he said.
His coach at Mutare City Rovers, Prince ‘Skillo’ Tafirenyika spoke glowingly of the potential that lies in the 23-year-old’s career.
“I think he is one player who can achieve great things in his career if he remains focused, disciplined and hard working. He has the talent, and with the shortage of strikers in this country, if he continues working hard, I have no doubt that he will go far,” said the former Rusitu Tigers gaffer.
