Online Reporter
Takudzwa Chitsiga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
UNITED States-based Zimbabwean footballer Francis Motsi was voted the Student Athlete of the Week in the Collegiate 2025 Soccer season.
The Wayland Baptist University senior helped his side, the Pioneers, in the 4-1 win over McMurry University in the opening week last weekend.
Motsi, who was born in Chitungwiza, scored two of the goals and had several attempts at goal .
Pioneers were supposed to face Paul Quinn College in Dallas on Thursday, but the match was cancelled.
Motsi took over late, scoring twice in a five-minute span to seal the win. Motsi’s first goal came in the 79th minute, followed by another in the 84th minute off an assist from Maximiliano Campos, securing his brace and WBU’s first win of the season.
The 23-year-old’s team had 12 shots with eight on target and he got four points for his efforts.
After finishing on 20 points during the 2024 season when he was a junior, Motsi is confident that he will improve this season and record some amazing statistics through-out the season.
Franco as he is affectionately known started his football scholarship at IOWA Lakes Community College in Spencer plays as a left or right wide midfielder.
Last year he won the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) award as well as the National Championship with his side after he managed to break into the school’s first team.
Speaking from his base after the season started last week, the former Prince Edward and Zengeza High 1 student, who previously played for Prince Edward Academy, Academy 2063, Power Eleven Academy and World Athletes Recruit, said he is looking forward to do well again this year.
“I am happy that I am making good progress after I joined the college in 2024. The level of competition is high and I am working hard to see my career grow.
“My intention is to play football professionally and at some point represent my country,” said Motsi.
The midfielder went to the United States to further his commercial degree studies after his first degree from National University of Science and Technology.
He played an important part in NUST’s third place finish in the 2021 Zimbabwe University’s Sports Association (ZUSA) Games which were held in Harare, scoring two goals.
“I think this is going to be my breakthrough season after some years here in the States. I am gaining confidence with each passing year and I am working hard to achieve my goals.
“I think I can describe myself as someone who is confident, favoured and hardworking and these three perfectly describe my life story as I always been confident to take on the world in order to reach my destination.
“I consider myself a hard worker as I make sure I fight for what I want and doesn’t really take no for an answer oftentimes. Besides football I also enjoy playing pool and reading,” added Motsi.
The attacking midfielder, who is inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo, also spoke of how he balances schoolwork and football, stating that to him it is natural and it has no formula.
“No formula really, it’s just about doing what you need for what you want.
“The two might be confused so it’s better to do them both so when you finally get to know what you want and what you really need, you will have two already and what will be left is to place them in the right position,” added Motsi.
