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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
ENGLAND-BASED Zimbabwean footballer Rugare Masendo hopes to play for his country after breaking into the Under-18 team of Premiership side Southampton. The teenage midfielder started his career at Chelsea juniors, where he played between 2009-12, before moving to Arsenal.

He has now found a new home on the England south coast and he hopes to sign a professional contract next year.

Masendo was born in Mutare, but moved to England as a three-year-old.

However, he says his international future is with the Warriors and not the Three Lions of England.

“I have now settled at my new club and I am progressing well with the Under-18 side and I look forward to moving to the Under-21 soon and then probably have a professional career,” he said.

“The first few months were hard to adjust at the new club, but I have started to settle and I hope to play more games and push for the Under-21s.

“I am currently on a two-year contract and I would like to utilise the chance and hope to play for the Zimbabwe Under-20 and Under-23 national teams.”

His uncle, Ngoni, said the family was always clear that should Masendo develop into a good player, his international future was going to be with the Warriors.

“Rugare was born in Zimbabwe and went to the United Kingdom when he was only three-years-old. His father is considering relocating back to Africa, but has delayed after considering the youngster who is still at school.

“He started off at Chelsea in 2009 to 2012 and then joined the Arsenal academy, but has since broken new ground and is now at Southampton,” said Ngoni.