Reading superstar braces for debut

when the Young Warriors go into battle against Botswana in an All-Africa Games qualifying match in Gaborone next Friday.
The 17-year-old, currently contracted to English Championship soccer side Reading, is in the country for the Young Warriors’ assignment.
The attacking midfielder said it has never been a question which country he would play for and was excited to get the junior national team call.
“I would be more proud to put a Zimbabwean jersey. I am Zimbabwean, l was born here and my family is here.
“I have got friends in England who would say Trevor you should play for England but I love Zimbabwe.
“If someone asks me which team I would you play for. I wouldn’t even think about it. It’s Zimbabwe,” said Mutero.
Mutero, who has been in the country for a week, is yet to train here after the Young Warriors squad failed to go into camp on Monday. And he had to contend with jogging and swimming sessions as his contract with Reading only allows him to play for a national side. The teenage midfielder, who travelled back home on a British passport, said he would be hoping to get a fresh Zimbabwean passport before the team leaves on Tuesday.
“My Zimbabwean passport expired and I have been using a British passport so I applied for a new document and hopefully I will get it on Monday,” said Mutero.
The attacking midfielder, who is also comfortable playing as a winger, was excited at the prospects of donning a national team jersey.
“Playing for the Under-23 is a big step towards my goal, and that is playing for the Warriors. I am actually looking forward to the second leg here in front of the home crowd.
“It is a chance for Warriors coach Norman Mapeza to notice me. Hopefully the team will do well and I will also play well,” said Mutero.
It is going to be a busy schedule for the Reading midfielder who, from Gaborone, is expected to connect to South Africa to join the Zimbabwe Under-20 team, which will be playing in a Cosafa invitational tournament in Cape Town.
“I am supposed to go straight to South Africa and after the Under-20 tournament I will go back to England and return for the Under-23 second leg in two weeks time.
“I have enjoyed myself here. When I arrived I went to watch the CAPS United match (against Shooting Stars) and the fans here are just crazy.
“The atmosphere is different from England and I would love to play in front of that crowd,” said Mutero.
Mutero was born on July 13, 1993 in Masvingo and moved to England in 2004 when his father passed away.
He was signed by Reading four years ago after he successfully underwent a two-week trial with the English Championship side. He joined Reading after he was spotted by the club’s scouts while playing for another English lower division side Burton Rovers.
“In fact, I scored more than 60 goals in two seasons for Burton and was made team captain in my first season,” said Mutero.
But for Mutero, whose dream is to play in the Spanish La Liga, it has not been all rosy.
“Things just don’t happen and you have to work hard.
“I am really happy with the way things have gone and if I continue working hard by 2013 I should be playing in La Liga.
“When I was young I would always say when I grow up I want to become a footballer and my grandmother would ask me whether I was crazy. But when I went to UK things changed. After finishing my secondary education I became full-time in football.
“I have got good people around me, that is my family and my agent and age is on my side so I don’t see any reason I cannot make it. I would love to play in the Spanish league. English league it is more physical but in Spain they play passing football the way I want.
“In England you have to be professional, the coaches will not tell you that you have to go to the gym or anything.
“You have to work hard and look after yourself. If you are feeling stiff you know you will have to go for an ice bath or things like diet you know you have to watch it yourself,” said Mutero.
Mutero has scored seven goals in the current season, which was affected by an injury.
“I enjoy playing as a winger but I love the attacking midfield position because I create and score a lot of goals. I am strong, quite fast and good with both my feet and a good scorer,” said Mutero.
Mutero, who left Zimbabwe when he was just 11, said it felt good to be back home.
“When I left I was very young. And a lot of things have changed. I grew up in Mundondo Village with my grandmother and my two brothers Rhodean and Ryan who are still in Masvingo.
“I went to school at Mundondo Primary and when I was in Grade 4, I made my debut for the school’s soccer team. I also then played for Don Bosco before moving to stay with my aunt when my father passed away,” said Mutero.
The teenager stays in the same neighbourhood with former Zimbabwe international players Memory Mucherahohwa and Joe Mugabe.
“I go to this Park where they play soccer. So Innocent (Joe’s young brother) approached me and asked me if I was prepared to play for Zimbabwe before linking me up with the guys here,” said Mutero.
And the young player believes the Gaborone tie should herald a new chapter in his life. Although he got here expecting to go into camp quickly, he wasn’t fazed by the challenges and he is staying at his cousin’s place waiting to go into camp tomorrow night.
“I just want to play for my country. And everything else is not going to affect me. I support Dynamos and every Monday I am on my laptop checking on their progress.
“I know that the national team has not been doing very well and I hope that I will quickly mature and help Zimbabwe to do well at the Africa Cup of Nations and maybe the World Cup,” said Mutero.