adminGrace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
REAL Betis Zimbabwe Academy striker Tashinga Emmanuel Muzadzi says he is ready to carry on with the family’s football legacy.
The 17-year-old is the son of the former Dynamos and Warriors goalkeeper Gift “Umbro” and his dream is to fill in the big boots of his father, who was a household name during his heydays.
He recently completed his Ordinary Level at Prince Edward.
Emmanuel is currently touring Spain with his academy. He is among the senior players that are ready to break into professional football if they impress during their training camp at the European academy.
“My father is known as a legend and he is a very big inspiration to me. Sometimes we sit down and talk about football. He gives me tips and advises me to go to the gym and put 120 percent effort into everything I do.
“Now I know that I have to carry on the family legacy so that the people in Zimbabwe know that the Muzadzi generation is still going forward. My dad is a very good inspiration to me, and I appreciate his support and love for me. He provides for my boots, soccer balls and everything so that I can be able to play football at the highest level just like him,” said Muzadzi.
The junior Muzadzi fell in love with the game from a tender age and was already into football before he could figure out that his father was a former footballer.
“Football was something that I already enjoyed even at a young age before I had even realised that my father was a football player. I loved watching football, and kicking the ball around at a young age until I found out that my father was actually a football legend when I was older enough to understand. But, at a young age, I had already started playing football, watching football being played on the television. I love learning new things from the coaches,” he said.
Interestingly, Emmanuel never considered his father’s forte of goalkeeping
“A lot of people ask me how I became a striker when my father was a goalkeeper. I don’t know why but I just like being involved in the game a little bit more because the keeper only gets the ball in goal kick situations, when the defender passes to the keeper, and the ball is usually played attacking or in the midfield.
“So I started playing football inside the pitch because I like dribbling, sprinting, being able to be involved in scoring goals and all that. I also sometimes have a fantasy that I would play against my father as well and score against him. People also say l have the abilities of a goalkeeper,” he said.
Emmanuel believes the academy system has shaped him to be a good player, having started off at Legends Academy.
“I play as a striker or left wing in most scenarios depending on the coaches’ game plan on that certain day.
“I started playing football in primary school and the coaches saw potential in me, which boosted my confidence and I started playing matches in primary school. I scored a lot of goals and I played very well. That’s when my father enrolled me in an academy called Legends Academy back in the day. I played really well and the coaches were pleased. I played for Under-12s and Under-15s, and I would say I scored at least 50 goals. I am not really sure anymore.
“I enjoyed my football very well. That’s how I started developing a passion for the sport. I started learning different things from the coaches, learning every day, how to pass the ball, how to hold the ball, how to cross, how to open up for chances. I learnt a lot at a young age. I appreciate the chances they gave me at Legends Academy and also here at Real Betis Academy,” he said.
The youthful forward was inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo and he dreams to play against professional footballers.
Online Reporter