Gerald Magande: The teenage sensation scoring goals and winning hearts in Manchester

GERALD Magande — etch that name in your memory!

He’s not just a rising star in Zimbabwe; he’s on the cusp of becoming a global football sensation. At the tender age of 17, this Bulawayo-born prodigy is already turning heads at the Manchester City Academy, having joined the ranks of this prestigious English club earlier this year.

Magande’s journey to stardom began on the local junior football pitches, where he consistently outshone his peers. His talent undeniable, he made the bold move to England with his family. It wasn’t long before he started making waves in the land of football royalty.

Stanford Magande, Gerald’s father, beams with pride as he speaks of his son’s seamless transition. The young forward’s adaptability and skill have marked him as one to watch, as he continues to dazzle on the field, heralding the arrival of a new footballing hero.

“He is doing well. Ever since joining Manchester City development side called Manchester City Under-17 Select, he scored seven goals in seven games and also had seven assists before they went for a month-long break.

“Afterwards, he was invited again at the end of May while some boys were boys. So far, he scored a brace in the one game they have played. Prospects are high for him to get a contract. The reality is that he is in a City which is home to various big teams in the EPL, and he is adapting well to the English game,” said Magande.

The Young Flying Stars Academy product got several individual accolades locally, before he made his move abroad.
Last year, he was named the best Under-16 athlete at Christian Brothers College (CBC), bagged the July Kambarami Trophy best player at Falcon, and Hammer and Tongues top goal scorer with seven goals in five matches.

In 2022, he was the Keyona TV Under-15 tournament’s best player while also collecting the Master Masiku and Nomsa “Boys” Moyo player of the tournament awards. Not only is he gifted in football but also academically.

“He started at an early age at Young Flying Stars and has developed a penchant for collecting awards since primary school at Centenary and later at Reps. He did secondary school at CBC writing O-level in November 2023 and doing exceptionally well with 5As and 5Bs.

“He broke into the 1st team (U19) at 14 and achieved a lot, including setting a record of a whopping 32 official goals during the 2023 season which was, basically, during the second term, amassing numerous CHISZ school awards as listed in hereafter. We migrated as his parents for other reasons sometime in 2023 and he only joined us in December after writing his O-level exams,” said Magande.

The proud father hopes to see his son play in the EPL in the near future.
“He has shown ability and dedication to the sport. As parents, our duty is to support him. The sky is not the limit but the target. Munya is very ambitious. He has set sight on conquering the EPL and he hopes to Captain the Warriors one day, just like Nuddy (Peter Ndlovu) did in the 90s. It’s all in God’s hands and God’s time is the best time,” said Magande.

His coach at Young Flying Stars Academy, Collin Nyambiya speaks highly of the player.
“He has been breaking records locally. He was getting good training at CBC and at YFSA. At the age of 13 he was already playing in the Under-20 team. He is just something else, he is a complete player if you ask me. Good prospect for the national team. He is a star in the making,” said Nyambiya. – @innocentskizoe