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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
PROMISING City Academy player Shingirai Elvis Chayanzika will have a rare opportunity to train with Italian giants Juventus Academy for the next five years.
City Academy travelled to Manchester City from April 13 to May 8 with four players and, during the tour, one of the young players, Chayanzika, impressed the Juventus Academy scouts who took him to their base for three weeks.
Chayanzika played against Juventus Academy during his European sojourn and was given a chance to visit the team during school holidays as the Italian side is keen to monitor his progress for the next five years.
With Warriors utility player Jordan Zemura set to pen a new record by becoming the first ever Zimbabwean player to join Serie-A club Udinese from July 1, Chayanzika will get inspiration to work hard.
The 13-year-old midfielder spent three weeks at the Old Lady’s development side and said he was happy with the opportunity and looks forward to continuing working hard.
“I am very happy to have managed to travel to Europe where we had time in England and I ended up in Italy where I had time with Juventus Academy.
“During our trip in Europe last month, I was lucky to be given an opportunity to train with Juventus Academy who also gave me an opportunity to be with them every school holiday.
“At first I was nervous but with time, I managed to adjust. Language was also a barrier in the beginning but after three weeks with the side I improved. My wish is to go back to Europe and work hard so that I earn a contract,” said Chayanzika.
After his impressive outing the young player got an opportunity to travel to the Italian giant’s development side every school holiday starting this August for the next five years.
City Academy technical director Agrippa Guti, who travelled with the players, said the opportunity given to Chayanzika is very rare and he is confident that he will go far if he remains committed and hard working as he is doing.
“This is an eye opener for Europe’s big clubs that there is raw talent in Zimbabwe despite the current FIFA ban. As City Football Academy we are grateful to ZIFA and sports commission for their effort in helping promote junior football development in the country.
“We urge the involvement of all parties to find a common ground to solve our international football crisis, as we are losing potential world class players as there is no longer passion to play at national level since we are suspended and also limited international exposure to foreign clubs.
“As academies we are also finding it difficult to get corporate sponsorship but if we have some players getting such rare opportunities it opens doors for us as a nation,” said Guti.
Online Reporter