Nyoni excites Warriors followers
AFTER writing his piece of history by becoming Liverpool’s youngest player to appear in the FA Cup on his senior team debut, teenage midfielder Trey Nyoni excited many Zimbabweans and ignited a social media debate centering on whether he would be able to play for Zimbabwe or not.
Nyoni was thrown into the fray by Jurgen Klopp as a late substitute as the Reds thumped Southampton 3-0 in an FA Cup fifth-round tie at Anfield on Wednesday night.
At 16 years and 243 days, he set a new milestone, alongside several Liverpool Academy players including teenage goalscorers Jayden Danns and Lewis Koumas (18).
He also became Liverpool’s third youngest-ever player in any competition after Jerome Sinclair (16 years and six days) and Elliot (16 years and 174 days).
The performance of the youngsters on Wednesday impressed Klopp, who also revealed his satisfaction with the maturity shown by Nyoni despite his frame, after replacing Harvey Elliot in the 78th minute, when Liverpool was 2-0 up.
“The way Liverpool wants to play is clear as well,” Klopp told the club’s media.
“They are all talented, otherwise they would not play for Liverpool. But in the youth department, it’s a little bit like you can be much better than the opponent — that doesn’t happen that often in adult football, to be honest, and you have to be ready for that.
“And I saw that today that the boys make really big steps. With Trey, you can see there’s absolutely nobody, I don’t know what his weight is, to be honest, but when he is on the ball, he is very mature — that’s all cool,” the Reds boss added. Nyoni, who was born in England to Zimbabwean parents, played for the England Under-17 side last year. However, he has options to choose whether to play for England if the opportunity arises or stick with the Zimbabwe Warriors.
He will not be the first player to do so as Zimbabwe has in the recent past welcomed players like Tendayi Darikwa, Brendan Galloway, Alec Mudimu, and Jordan Zemura who grew up abroad.
Former Zimbabwe international Alois Bunjira said Nyoni and other upcoming talents born in the diaspora should not be pressured into the debate about his future choices.
“Of course, they didn’t grow up here,” Bunjira said on Facebook.
“They have no connection with Zimbabwe. We have to persuade and convince them. Someone should sit with them and their parents if there is a need. Patriotism will be developed later. We plant it into them and grow it.
“As Zimbabweans, we should support Trey Nyoni, just like we support all the other Zimbabwean boys in Europe.
“We are one big Zimbabwean village, whose other villagers have travelled overseas to work.
Choosing to play for England or Zimbabwe, should never change the fact that the boy is a
Zimbabwean who holds a British passport. He will make his choice on which country he should play for.
“Otherwise, congratulations to the young man for making his debut, and making us all proud. We hope to see many more coming through,” said Bunjira. Nyoni is one of the several upcoming players including Liverpool Academy teammate Isaac Mabaya, Tawanda Masvanhise of Leicester City, Leon Chiwome of Wolves, and Michael Ndiweni of Newcastle.
Nyoni has played for England at junior level and this could be a motivating in his hopes for a gig with the senior Three Lions.
“Yes, he may be an England Under-17 international. To me, it makes a lot of sense to play for England at that level. After all, in Zimbabwe, we don’t have a team at that level.
“He is gaining much valuable experience. He does hold an English passport. But again, that won’t stop him from playing for Zimbabwe in the future.
“Many African players around the world have played for European countries at the Junior level and later opted for their motherland at senior level, the current Ivory Coast goalkeeper, played for France at Under 17 and Under 20 levels.
“Wilfred Zaha played for England at Junior level but is now turning out for Ivory Coast. Cedric Boukambu played for France at Junior level. He is now playing for DRC.
“The list is endless. Playing for England at the Junior level is not a problem. What we can be worried about is if Nyoni chooses to play for England rather. That all depends on the player and his parents.
“They have the choice. They are allowed to choose where they want Trey to play. No grudges should be directed to them for their choice,” said Bunjira.
Junior football development specialist Lloyd Chigowe believes Zimbabwe should have a deliberate talent harvesting and monitoring system both at home and abroad.
“Trey looks promising, looking at his age and the profile of the team he is playing for. The authorities should look for ways to include these boys in our junior national teams from a young age. We should put our house in order first and try to bring these boys home for the national under-15s, under-18s, and under-20s so that they also get to appreciate home,” said Chigowe.
Nyoni has, however, not decided on which national team he will play for between England, where he was born, and Zimbabwe, where his father was born and raised.
He was previously with the Leicester City youth setup and has appeared internationally at the under-16 level for England.
His father Mjumbeki Nyoni, a former teacher, played for the Gwanda Ramblers before relocating to the United Kingdom in 2000.
THE Warriors will take part in a four-team tournament involving Zambia, Kenya and hosts Malawi during the upcoming Fifa international window.
Yesterday the respective national associations agreed on the tournament to be staged in Lilongwe between March 18-26.
The national associations believe the tournament will help in the preparations for the resumption of 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers. In a statement yesterday, Zifa said the Under-20 teams will also take part during the same period:
“The first tournament will feature the senior men’s national teams (A-teams) of our four countries. “This tournament presents a valuable opportunity for our national teams to face quality opposition in preparation for upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2025 AFCON qualifying campaigns.
“Additionally, a concurrent youth tournament
LONDON. — Chelsea could be forced to pay up to £7.65 million to Brighton for two academy talents after an FA tribunal ruling.
A tribunal has concluded for two Chelsea signings from Brighton, full-back Zak Sturge, now 19, and striker Shumaira Mheuka, 16, to fix the sums the Blues must pay.
Mheuka will cost an initial £1m, rising to a potential £4.25m. He would need to play 100 games for Chelsea and earn a cap for England for the Seagulls to receive the full amount. Similarly, the £3.15m awarded for Sturge is heavily incentivised, with a further £250,000 due if he plays for England.
The pair joined Chelsea in the summer of 2022, just after Todd Boehly and Clearlake
THE National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) will send two athletes for the World Cross Country Championships to be staged in Belgrade, Serbia on March 30.
The two athletes are Wellington Varevi, who will participate in the 10km senior men’s category, and Previous Munsaka, who will take part in the 6km junior women’s category.
NAAZ president said only two athletes will represent the country at the international competition. Most athletes failed to run under the set qualifying times at the National Cross Country Championships held at Alan Lowry Golf Club, Red-cliff last weekend.
“We have decided to have those two represent the country as they proved to have a realistic chance to participate on the big stage. Munsaka managed to run under the qualifying time and we are excited with her performance. Varevi was not too far from the qualifying time and has shown vast potential of late hence he will join Munsaka in Serbia. The turnout at the national finals was low and there is a need for improvement” said Tagara. At the nationals, senior men and women were chasing a qualifying time of 29 minutes and 34 minutes respectively in 10km. Under-20 men were expected to run 25 minutes for the 8km race and Under-20 women’s 6km race, the qualifying time was 24 minutes.
However, most of the athletes missed the times with only Munsaka running the qualifying for our U20 national teams will take place during the same period.
“By bringing together the best young players from across our countries, these U20 tournaments will aid in developing and exposing elite youth talent while preparing teams for upcoming 2024 AFCON Under 20 qualifiers later this year.
“Our four nations are committed to collaborating for the advancement of football development and transformation across the region. “We believe hosting these joint tournaments will build camaraderie between our nations, provide high-level competition for our players, and elevate youth football programs across Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. “We look forward to hosting exciting tournaments that showcase the very best talent our countries have to offer. “Further details on match schedules and tournament logistics will be announced in due course.”
Capital bought the Stamford Bridge club.
Both players remain at Chelsea, with Sturge having spent six months on loan at Peterborough United, and Mheuka has begun playing in the Under-18s.
They were signed by the academy, not the ownership directly, but are part of a roughly £225m spent on 11 players and staff from Brighton since the takeover, including payments for manager Graham Potter, sporting director Paul Winstanley, and several players, including Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo.
It is more than double the sum paid to build Brighton’s current home, the Amex Stadium. — London Evening Standard. time in the Under-20 women when coming first in 23 minutes 36.52 seconds.
In the senior men’s 10km race, Varevi finished in a time of 31 minutes 14 seconds while Tawanda Bvunzawabaya and Jonathan Chinyoka were in second and third place respectively. Bvunzawabaya finished the race after 31 minutes 43 seconds while Chinyoka managed a time of 32 minutes 08 seconds.
Two athletes took part in the senior women’s category where Mirriam Sibanda and Emilia Mukungatu registered a time of 40 minutes 52 seconds and 42 minutes 54 seconds respectively.
The junior men category saw Andrew Ndlovu win the 8km race after crossing the finishing line in 26 minutes and 13 seconds.
In second place was Blessed Sipanela who finished the race after 26 minutes 23 seconds.
Meanwhile, the Bulawayo Athletics Board (BAB) will have their Track and Field Championships at White City Stadium on Saturday.
The programme will commence at 8:00am. Events on offer are 100m, 100mh, 110mh, 200m, 400m, 400mh, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay, ZITF Coca-Cola Four Minute Mile Challenge, long jump, triple, jump, high jump, javelin, shot put and discus.
Entry fees are pegged at US$2 per event per athlete for cadets, youths, and juniors, US$3 per event per athlete for seniors, and US$5 per relay team. Registration will close at the end of the day today. The organisers will provide bib numbers.