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JORDAN ZEMURA thanked God after his debut appearance in the English Premiership saw his Bournemouth side beat Aston Villa at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
The 22-year-old Zimbabwe international started the game on the left channel of his team’s formation and was lively throughout the contest.
“Premier League debut today,” Zemura wrote on his Twitter account.
“Massive +3 points!
“Thank you God, work (doesn’t) stop, felt you all with us today.” Speaking after the game, the Lambeth-born defender also spoke to the Daily Echo.
“I’m blessed and honoured to be able to play.
“I can only thank the club, thank the gaffer, thank the coaching staff, thank my family for putting me in this place.
“It’s a moment I won’t forget for sure. “I think that (clean sheet) was massive for us because as a defensive unit we always try.
“We’re really close on the field, off the field, so to get a clean sheet is really nice for us.
“And personally it’s always good to start the season with a clean sheet.”
Cherries are next in action on Saturday, when they face the daunting trek to Manchester City to face the reigning Premier League champions.
Villa manager, Steve Gerrard, did not include Zimbabwe international, Marvelous Nakamba, in his travelling party.
Douglas Luiz, who has been battling with Nakamba for the defensive midfielder spot at Villa, could only find a place on the team’s bench.
Steve Gerrard chose to go with a 4-3-2-1 formation. Zemura was one of the five debutants which manager, Scott Parker, threw into battle for the showdown against Villa.
The others were Ben Pearson, Ryan Christie and Kieffer Moore, who scored one of the club’s two goals, in the triumph over Villa.
Ahead of the game, the focus in this country was centred on reports that Zemura is the lowest-paid player in the Premiership.
But, Parker is hopeful that will change soon with Zemura and Jaidon Anthony set to sign new deals at the Birmingham club.
Their contracts are set to expire in June next year.
Asked whether he was optimistic of a positive outcome, to secure Zemura and Anthony on new long-term deals, Parker said: “Yeah, I hope so. I hope that will be the case.
“I hope there is a resolution for both of them.
“But, like all the players, Dom, Travers, we’re a football club that wants to try and tie down these players, these young players that are going to be the future of the club and hopeful that will be the case with those two as well.”
Zemura has been at the Cherries for the last three years and has now earned his place in the senior team.
He is generally considered to be the club’s lucky charm as Bournemouth rarely lose, every time the Zimbabwean is thrust into their starting XI.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter