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THE NEXT BIG THING? . . . Leeds United starlet Munya Mbanje has committed himself to play international football for his fatherland, Zimbabwe, and is set to feature for the Young Warriors on Saturday

Collin Matiza Sports Editor
HIGHLY-RATED teenage football star Munya Mbanje personally chose to play for the Warriors, than pursuing an international career with England, and his family is thrilled that he is now set to make his debut for Zimbabwe in Morocco this weekend.

The 18-year-old Leeds United starlet, touted as the next Joel “Jubilee” Shambo, is part of a crew of young England-based players, who have committed their international future to their fatherland, in what could be the beginning of a landmark, if not radical, makeover for the senior national football team.

Macauley Bonne of English League One side Colchester United, who was born in England to Zimbabwean parents, and Northampton striker David Moyo, are the other two England-based footballers who have answered the call to play for the Warriors in their friendly international against Morocco on Saturday.

The Warriors have plucked a leaf from a manual used by Senegal at the turn of the millennium in which they pursued players, including those who were born in France, eligible to play for the Lions of Teranga, who then helped the West Africans qualify for their only World Cup finals in Japan/Korea 2002.

Since then, Mali have also followed a similar path while Cape Verde have turned themselves from lightweights, on the continent, into one of the strongest teams in African football by luring players, who have links to the country, who were born in Portugal, including some who had never set foot on the Atlantic Ocean island before.

Munya Mbanje’s father, Trymore, confirmed yesterday from England that his son was available to play for Zimbabwe this coming weekend and he (Munya) was “more than happy” to play for his fatherland.

Trymore said that as a family, they were also happy to see Munya being finally given the chance to play for his country of birth, although he had the choice of playing for his adopted country England.

“We are extremely happy that Munya has been called-up to play for Zimbabwe. Munya is also eligible to represent Britain but he actually chose Zimbabwe on his own and we are all backing him on that stance,” Trymore told The Herald from his base in Huddersfield yesterday.

“It is our pride and joy to be associated with our country of birth even though we are now settled in the UK.

“I believe this is just the beginning of more call-ups for him to the (Zimbabwean) national teams as I regard Munya as one of the most talented and disciplined up-coming players who are based abroad.

“If he remains committed to the cause, the sky is the limit for him.

“He has also started playing for the reserves at Leeds and he is highly regarded as one for the future . . . The recent takeover and constant changing of coaches at Leeds hasn’t helped in his progress, which is just one of the negative aspects in his development.”

Munya was born on September 1 1996 and he grew up in Harare’s high-density suburb of Mufakose.

He left Zimbabwe in 2012 to join his family in England where he started working under a UK-based Zimbabwean youth soccer coach, Phillip Zulu, who is one of the people behind the young player’s move to Leeds United.

Touted as the next Joel Shambo, the attacking midfielder is a product of the Aces Youth Soccer Academy here in Harare and was in late 2012 offered a two-year scholarship at Leeds United after he impressed the club’s junior coaches while playing for their Under-16 side.

He is now set to team-up with two other UK-based Zimbabwean players, Moyo and Bonne, when they play for Zimbabwe against Morocco on Saturday.

Harare-born Moyo, who turns 20 on December 17, started a two-year scholarship with Northampton Town in the summer of 2011.

In October 2012, he was awarded his first squad number by manager Aidy Boothroyd, after a prolific scoring record for the youth side.

He made his professional debut on November 3 2012, in a 1–1 draw with Bradford City in the FA Cup, coming on as a substitute for Anthony Charles.

In March 2013 he was offered a professional contract with Northampton Town along with Claudio Dias.

In the 2013/14 season Moyo spent some time out on loan at Northern Premier Division side Stamford AFC, netting four goals in all competitions.

Moyo’s new teammate at the Warriors Bonne (19) plays as a striker for Colchester United having progressed through the youth ranks at the club.

He had previously been signed to Ipswich Town and Norwich City at youth levels.

Born in England to Zimbabwean parents, Bonne is eligible to represent both England and Zimbabwe at international level.

In August this year, he made himself available for selection by Zimbabwe ahead of their qualification attempt for the 2016 Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, Ndaba Nyathi, a UK-based Zimbabwean soccer agent who has been tasked by Zifa to make the travel arrangements for Munya Mbanje, Moyo and Bonne, confirmed yesterday that the three young players were released by their respective English clubs to play for Zimbabwe in the international friendly match against Morocco this coming weekend.

“The English clubs are happy to release the players and they have been on the phone asking what’s going on regarding their travel plans.

“The players’ parents as well are also happy to see their kids being called-up to play for Zimbabwe,” Nyathi said from England yesterday.

He said he was likely to get the three players’ itinerary from Zifa by late yesterday afternoon and he was hopeful that they would fly out of London on Friday or Saturday morning to join up with the rest of the Warriors squad ahead of their first international friendly match against Morocco in the North African country on Saturday.

It’s only a two-hour flight from London to Morocco and Munya Mbanje, Moyo and Bonne are expected to arrive there just in time for Saturday’s match.

But the Young Warriors are unlikely to get Everton defender Brendon Galloway — who was signed by the Premiership side from MK Dons at the beginning of the English season this year.

Galloway appears to have set his sights on pursuing an international career with England having been part of that country’s Under-17, Under-18 and Under-19 national sides.

He remains eligible, though, at this stage to play for Zimbabwe if he has a change of heart.