malvernmugadzikwa
Sports Reporter
NISBERT MUZENDA’s father, Tawanda, is not entirely surprised with the way his son is carrying himself in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
However, what he finds a bit amazing is the speed with which the midfielder has matured to match the demands of elite football.
At just 17, Nisbert is already an established member of the Ngezi Platinum Stars side seeking to defend the league title they won for the first time last season.
He broke into the first team, having been elevated from the miners’ development project, Ngezi Platinum Under-19, last term.
He was still a mere Lower Sixth learner at Wanganui High School when the Mhondoro-based side won the championship last year. His school, where he is one of the most respected and celebrated figures, held a party for him and most of his mates got to touch his premier league medal.
The youngster is now prepping for his Advanced Level examinations at the end of the year, but that has not taken a piece of his attention away from football.
“To be honest, I thought Nisbert would follow in his brother Nigel’s footsteps,” said Tawanda. “Nigel took his academics seriously, and he was a bright student. So, naturally, I just expected his younger brother would tread the same path.”
“But when he was still a young boy in Grade Three, I discovered that he was a keen footballer. He even loved to kick around items when he was still a toddler.
“I was then called by his teachers at Regis Bridge, to tell me that he was a very good footballer and they were drafting him into the school team. He was in Grade Three at the time.
“Although I had wanted him to concentrate more on the academic side, I just decided to support his footballing ambitions too.”
Tawanda added: “I can’t say that I am too surprised that he managed to break into a Premiership team. I am, however, surprised about the pace at which he is moving. I just wish to see him succeed because he is very passionate about the game.”
Tawanda is particularly excited by the fact that Nisbert has managed to strike a balance between his studies and the game he loves.
“I think, as a parent, I can tell my fellow parents that they should support their children in whatever endeavours they engage in. I am impressed with how Nisbert has managed to pay equal attention to football and his books,” he said.
“As much as I wanted him to be like his brother, who took academics more seriously than football, Nisbert is doing well in both.”
Nisbert was scouted from a Division 2 side, Turf Wolves, by Ngezi Platinum coaches Takesure Chiragwi and Kifton Kadurira, who have sharp eyes for spotting talent on the local scene.
He was immediately drafted into the Ngezi Platinum U-19 squad, but promoted into the Premiership team before long.
With a busy schedule ahead of him in the field of play and in class, Nisbert is trying to take everything in his stride.
He will play in the CAF Champions League just around the same time he will be writing his Advanced Level final examinations.
“I am both jittery and excited,” said Nisbert. “I have prepared for the exams over the years and I am now fine-tuning. I have also been training hard to deliver for my team, not only in the league, but also ahead of the CAF Champions League.
“I am praying hard that I will be able to deliver in both.”
Nisbert also plays football for his school, and a lot of children look up to him for inspiration.
Online Reporter