adminRicky Zililo Sports Reporter
FORMER Gifford High School student Arthur Ngoma is breaking new grounds in South Africa, having spent last year at Corinthians Club, an academy of Premiership club Mpumalanga Black Aces. Mpumalanga Black Aces, which is home to Zimbabweans Method Mwanjali and Tendai Ndoro, partnered English Premiership club Manchester United in providing mentorship to upcoming footballers at Corinthians Club.
The lanky 19-year-old attacking midfielder who spent the 2012 season at Wits’ Under-20 team was voted as Corinthians’ Under-20 Players Player of the Year.
Ngoma, who is in the country on holiday, said his ambition was to play for the Young Warriors and subsequently the senior national soccer team.
“The last two years have been good to me in South Africa. I have been playing in the development league that runs from January to December. In 2012 I won the Wits Under-20 Most Promising Player award and now I have bagged the Players Player of the year accolade at Corinthians. I must say I have developed in my play and that is why my teammates decided to give me the award and now the sky is the limit for me.
“It is every player’s dream to represent their country and I also have that dream to don the national team jersey. I believe through hard work and perseverance I will make it into the national team. Ever since joining Wits at the beginning of 2011 after responding to an advert inviting players for trials, I have never looked back.
“I was invited for trials at FC Cape Town but I didn’t go because I was preparing for my exams but I should be going there in January,” said Ngoma.
The Gwabalanda born star completed his ordinary level of education at Gifford in 2010 and decided to move to South Africa to do his Matric close to his parents.
“There is fierce competition in the development league which has clubs like Kaizer Chiefs, Wits, Orlando Pirates and other First Division Clubs having their juniors competing in. Now that I am done with my Matric, my focus is on breaking into the Premiership and before I proceed to Cape Town, I will hear from Corinthians whether or not I have been seconded to train with the senior team (Mpumalanga Black Aces),” he said.
Ngoma once turned out for the now defunct AmaZulu and Highlanders’ juniors before having a short stint with FC Windermere.
Bantu Rovers and national Under-20 Moyo twins Elvis and Kelvin were his seniors at AmaZulu.
In 2010 he turned out for Zim Leopards alongside Hwange’s most sought after striker Francesco Zvikumbawire.
Ngoma, who can play behind strikers or as a winger, is not related to FC Platinum’s striker Donald.
Online Reporter