Musanhu joins Scottish League
YOUNG Zimbabwean defender, Jadel Elwin Musanhu, has joined Scottish League One side, Peterhead FC.
He has also committed himself to represent the Warriors at international level.
The 18-year-old son of former Dynamos and Warriors defender, Chamu Musanhu, went through the Steven Gerrard Academy in Liverpool, England.
Confirming the deal, veteran player agent, Jack Duncan, said Jadel, who can also play as a holding midfielder, has joined a team where he will grow into a very good player.
“He is a very disciplined and dedicated young man and this is a perfect start for him,’’ said Duncan.
“At Peterhead, he will work with one of the most experienced coaches in Scotland.
“The team’s coach, Jim McInally, who is a former defender himself, played over 20 games for Scotland. If he wants to learn, he will go far.
“This will give him the perfect platform to launch his career. He knows about the challenges ahead of him and is also aware that it will take time for him to establish himself in the team.”
This is not the first time Duncan has tried to secure contracts for Zimbabwean players in Europe.
In the past, he tried to get deals in Europe for Chamu, Tauya Murehwa and Brian Badza.
“Chamu, Tauya and Badza were just unfortunate but times have changed. There were a number of challenges that time which, fortunately, Jadel doesn’t face.
“Zimbabwean football is a bit different from Scottish football and that’s the advantage that Jadel has.
“He knows that it’s not going to be easy and will have to give his best. He has to prove himself in a tougher division,” said Duncan.
Peterhead manager, Jim McInally, confirmed to the club’s website Jadel will be turning out for his side.
The Zimbabwean defender was on the Peterhead bench, for the pre-season Premier Sports Cup match against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, on Tuesday night.
On Tuesday night, Jadel was an unused substitute as Peterhead went down 0-2 at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, in their second Group game of the Premier Sports Cup.
“I am obviously very excited to have got this opportunity and I will continue working hard,’’ he said.
“This is obviously a higher level than I was playing, and I must carry on working hard. I would like to follow my father’s footsteps and play for Zimbabwe.”
Jadel is one of the many teenage Zimbabwean footballers, born and raised in the United Kingdom, who have shown interest in playing for the country of their origin.
The same commitment has come from Leicester City prodigy Tawanda Maswanhise, Ethan Kachosa of Sunderland, Jimiel Chikukwa of Leeds United Academy and Germany-based Jonathan Fabisch.
Jordan Zemura of Bournemouth recently made his debut for the Warriors during the 2021 AFCON qualifiers.
Chamu, who was part of the Dynamos side that reached the 1998 CAF African Champions League final, is a happy man.
“I am very happy for him, we started him at the age of nine and he has been working very hard over the years.
“He is a very dedicated and disciplined player. I expect him to play for Zimbabwe just like what I did.
“This is a generation that I believe will take Zimbabwe to a higher level, and there are many like him.
“With the support of ZIFA, these kids will make our nation proud,” said Chamu.
Chamu is now based in Liverpool, England, where he is now a full-time registered player intermediary.
Jadel’s uncle, Walter, also played for the Young Warriors.
Walter is now based in Beijing, China, where he is running a football academy which is, interestingly, called Jadel FC Academy.