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ENGLAND-BASED Zimbabwean coach Sam Nzanga is thrilled following Ivan Toney’s maiden call-up to the England national football team.
England coach Gareth Southgate drafted Toney into the 28-man squad for the UEFA Nations League matches against Italy and Germany this month.
And what excites Nzanga is the fact that the Brentford striker blossomed under his guidance at Leicester City Academy when he joined at the age of 11 back in 2007.
Leicester City, however, released Toney at the age of 16 before he joined Northampton Town, where he easily became a first-team player because of his prowess.
But the immense progress he has made so far as he keeps punching above weight has left Nzanga buzzing with excitement.
“For me to be part of his journey, I feel honoured. I used to do drills with him, do the passing with and took him through the basics and for the boy to stop for me now and give me respect makes me feel honoured,” said Nzanga.
“He is such a humble young man with a bright future ahead of him. I wish the young man all the best in his career; he is such a good lad.
“A number of players playing in the EFL League One, EFL League 2, and the Championship came through my hands, but Toney is the most outstanding one.
“I feel honoured and happy with my contribution.
Nzanga played as a defensive midfielder for Zimbabwean top-flight league outfit Black Rhinos before relocating to Northamptonshire, England, in the early 2000s.
At Black Rhinos, Nzanga played with the late Pasanduka Pakamisa, Nesbert ”Yabo” Saruchera, Manilo Mutimba (late), Fanuel Nyamukapa, Jimmy Mbewe, Jack Mutandagai, Maronga ”The Bomber” Nyangela, Peter Matoro, Robson Chisango, Ian ”DiBango” Gorowa, Allan ”Jah Bhora” Gwaza, Cosmas Kabote and the late Muchineripi Masvaya.
A game alongside the late great Stanley ”Sinyo” Ndunduma against Mhangura was his last match in the Black Rhinos colours before he mpoved to the UK.
Nzanga also played for the now-defunct Dynamos United where he partnered the late Tobias Sibanda in central defence and his other teammates at that side were Biggie Zuze, the late Never ”Masweraseyi” Chiku, Diego Mukaira, Itai Chapo and Taurayi Mangwiro.
And Nzanga yesterday spoke about his early days in Zimbabwe’s top-flight football in 1995.
”(The late former CAPS United coach) Steve Kwashi was a big fun of me and when I was playing for Dynamos United he spoke to me about coming to train with CAPS United and followed me a few times each time I go into his shop InSport in Harare. I then chose to have trials with Black Rhinos because I wanted job security.
”My in 1995 debut was meant to be against Wankie at Gwanzura Stadium but the morning in camp before the match we heard of the sad news that one of our players Muchineripi Masvaya was stabbed to death in Highfield and the match was postponed so my debut for Rhinos was against Tongogara at Gwanzura and we won 2-1, we went on to beat CAPS United 3-1 at Gwanzura and I was tasked to man-mark George Mangwandi who, at the time, was a hit. We had a very good season that year, (the late former President of Zimbabwe) Canaan Banana was the patron, Stanford ‘Stix’ Mutizwa was the coach, and Roy Barreto was also my coach at Rhinos.”
At the moment, the Mbare-born coach heads Grendon Sapphires in England’s fifth-tier league, where he has become a household name.
Last season he was voted the best manager after leading Grendon Sapphires to three cup finals but managed to win one.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s Zimbabwean teenage starlet Isaac Mabaya has earned his maiden call-up to the England Under-19 squad ahead of their 2022-23 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying matches which get underway this week.
The 17-year-old versatile player has been on a steady rise after making his first team debut at Liverpool during their pre-season tour of Asia. Mabaya caught the eye with some solid performances for Liverpool’s senior squad in pre-season matches against Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Red Bull Salzburg.. — FarPost/ZimSportLive/Sports Reporter.
Online Reporter