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The attacking midfielder is in camp with the national team as they begin their preparations for the World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers early next month.
The Warriors would also be playing in the high profile Benjani Mwaruwari testimonial match tomorrow.
And yesterday Pritchard watched his Warriors coach Rahman Gumbo’s FC Platinum taking on CAPS United at National Sports Stadium.
The English Championship side midfielder said he wouldn’t have wished for a better time to begin his Warriors journey.
“I feel proud and humbled. I didn’t think anyone knew me back home. It is an overwhelming feeling and the main thing is I want to play well as they have shown faith in me. It is the first time for me and a lot of Zimbabweans will see me play and I want to play well. I hope I will have a good game,” said Pritchard.
The 26-year-old who plays central midfield said he was aware of the Warriors hectic programme and believed the team just needed to win their first game against Guinea on 3 June at home and keep the momentum in the following matches against Mozambique and the crucial Africa Cup of Nations second leg match against Burundi.
“The first important thing is to start the ball rolling and play well and use the momentum to carry through. I was doing a lot of research on the Warriors and I know there are players like Khama (Billiat), Knowledge (Musona) and Vusa Nyoni. And I am looking forward to knowing them better,” said Pritchard.
The athlete, who is also an academic and was a late starter to his football career as his parents wanted him to focus on his studies, is a holder of a Masters Degree in Sports Science, Performance Analysis.
He said he never had doubts about playing for Zimbabwe despite having his own fears.
“I had my fears and they were only personal. In terms of playing for Zimbabwe, I don’t have any worries as I believe the nation wants a fresh start. Everyone want things to change for the better and I believe the team will play together and achieve that,” said Pritchard.
The midfielder also paid tribute to former Zimbabwe captain Mwaruwari for raising the country’s flag high in England.
“Benjani had a fantastic career and for someone to play in the English league, which I believe is world’s best league, play at Portsmouth and go to Manchester City it shows people believe in you.
And tomorrow it would be a nice showcase.
“I am really looking forward to the testimonial match and also playing against the guys who have made it in England and European leagues is something else,” said Pritchard.
The midfielder was born in Harare on 19 December, 1985 and learnt at Hartman House before leaving for United Kingdom in 1995 as his father Columbus, who is brother to former Hellas player Cosmas, went abroad for further studies.
The player has always been coming back home during the holidays as his grand parents stay in Gweru and is the first born in a family of two with a younger sister.
Pritchard, began his English career at Conference North side Nuneaton Borough in 2006, and left the club when it was liquidated at the end of 2007/2008.
Pritchard joined local rivals to Nuneaton, Tamworth, for whom he was to score four goals from his midfield position between 2008 and 2010.
For the 2010/2011 season, the Zimbabwean midfielder played for yet another Conference side Hayes & Yeading United, making 46 appearances in one season and finding the net 14 times, a good return for a midfielder.
It was his talent showcased at Hayes& Yeading United that saw Charlton come knocking on his door for a signature in May 2011.
Online Reporter