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Tadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter
WARRIORS utility Jordan Zemura resorted to playing video games and spending more time with his family whenever his former teammates at English Premier Soccer League side Bournemouth headed back to their countries for international duty.
The 23-year-old is one of the players who was affected the most by Zimbabwe’s 17-month suspension from international football.
Flourishing in his debut English Premiership campaign with former team Bournemouth, the six times-capped Warrior was one of the players who were billed to bring the shift in Zimbabwe’s 2025 African Cup of Nations qualification bid.
But with the country under the FIFA embargo imposed for what the global football mother body termed third part interference, Zemura could only watch as his Bournemouth teammates represented their nations with honour.
That most of the players at Bournemouth last season were being called for national duty pained him the most.
He didn’t even want to talk about the FIFA suspension at the time like what his fellow Warriors were doing.
Instead, he found solace in playing video games and found more time to be with his family whenever there was an international break.
“I used to play video games and of course spent most of my time with my family so that I couldn’t get to think much about it (the suspension).
“You know a football career is very short. I was thinking what if the suspension goes on for five or so years. My mind was spinning.
“I really want to represent my country and defend the badge so it was a very painful experience knowing you could have gotten the chance to play for your country but you couldn’t,” said Zemura.
“It is something that affected not only me but hundreds of other players. I love my country first and foremost. And to be unable to represent them was the most painful thing that I have had to endure in my short football career”.
Zemura was dazzling for Bournemouth with whom he made 19 league appearances and notching a single assist.
But as much as his status grew, his market value didn’t correspond as he was devoid of international football.
He has since joined Italian Serie A side Udinese where he will make history as the first Zimbabwean player to play in the Italian top-flight.
He has been with the Friuli side for pre-season over the past couple of weeks preparing for friendly outings against European powerhouses including Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
And the recent lifting of the FIFA suspension on Zimbabwe has come as a huge boost for a player who is entering new territory.
He has every reason to smile knowing that once he manages to do well in Italy he will also be able to do well for the Warriors.
Having already missed out on the African Cup of Nations to be held in Cote d’lvoire next year, the Warriors will be looking to qualify for a maiden World Cup dance across the United States of America, Mexico and Canada in 2026.
The ban on Zimbabwe was lifted just in time and allowed the Warriors to be part of the qualification draw.
Zimbabwe will battle Nigeria, South Africa, Rwanda, Lesotho and Benin for the right to be at the global showcase in 2026.
Only group winners are guaranteed a place at the quadrennial tournament with the runners-up having a chance to qualify via play-offs. Zemura is on cloud nine and says it is always ideal to get a chance to have a shot at qualification than sitting out and wonder what could have been.
“The feeling is immense. It’s great to know that I will be able to return home and represent Zimbabwe again,” Zemura said.
“It’s a shame we had to miss out on the African Cup of Nations qualifiers due to the suspension.
“It feels great to know that we will be able to play international football again. It is a great feeling to be able to defend the flag. That is the greatest feeling a footballer can have.
“I am really looking forward to seeing the staff and my international teammates again. The group of players have a lot of quality and I am sure they are all ready to compete and perform for the badge”.
Online Reporter