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Robson Sharuko Senior Sports Editor
A TEENAGE Zimbabwean football sensation has thrust himself into the spotlight after scoring a spectacular goal for English side Ipswich Town’s Under-18s — which would have made even Lionel Messi proud — last Saturday.

Tristan Nydam, a 16-year-old rising star, has become an internet sensation after producing a moment of magic — a goal of stunning purity — for the Tractor Boys’ Academy side in their clash against Millwall.

Although Ipswich Town Under-18 lost the away match 1-3, the talking point from the game has centred on Nydam’s sensational goal which has provided ammunition to those who believe that the left-footed emerging star is destined for greatness.

The defining moment comes when Nydam, who was born in Zimbabwe on November 6, 1999, attended primary school here before going to settle in England with his mother, collects a pass from a teammate.

He then takes a touch and, from about 35 metres out, unleashes thunderbolt that rises at pace and then appears to swerve as it rockets into the roof of the nets, on the left side of the Millwall Under-18 goalkeeper, whose despairing dive to try and stop it is in vain.

Given his diminutive frame, and tender age, Nydam’s super goal — especially the power that he generated without much of back-lift — has been attracting a lot of interest within the global football family.

Nydam’s special goal gave Ipswich Town Under-18 the lead but their opponents fought back to win the game 3-1.

The official Ipswich Town website described the goal as a “spectacular” strike.

An admirer of Uruguay’s goal-scoring machine, Luis Suarez, Nydam plays as a midfielder, even though he can also play in defence, and joined the Ipswich Town Academy during the 2013-2014 season.

He has already generated a lot of interest, among those who have been following his career and development, amid rising expectations he could develop into a special player.

Nydam has been working under the guidance of the Ipswich Town Under-18 coach, Gerard Nash, with former England international, Kieron Dyer, who is one of the Academy coaches at the Tractor Boys after returning to the club where he started his career, also helping him with his development.

Dyer feels that Ipswich Town should derive a lot of pride from their productive nursery that has already produced a number of young players who are playing for the England youth national teams.

The former England international graduated from the Ipswich Academy.

The club’s young players, Andre Dozzell, Ben Morris and goalkeeper Nick Hayes all played their part and Dyer, who made almost 100 appearances for Ipswich Town and won four Under-20, 11 Under-21 and 33 full England caps, thinks Town’s ‘barren spell’ of young stars coming through the Portman Road ranks is coming to an end.

“How proud does it make you feel as an Ipswich fan when you see the likes of Andre, Ben and Nick on an England team-sheet, surrounded by players from the likes of Spurs, Manchester City, and Chelsea?” Dyer told the Ipswich Star.

“It’s not like we have just one player in the squad, but three. That’s one hell of an achievement.

“It’s been a little bit barren with only Tommy (Smith) and Luke (Hyam) currently in the team who have come through the youth system.

“But we have had Teddy Bishop and Matt Clarke recently and now we have three players in the England Under-17s.

“I always thought it would take five or six years for these boys to come through and of course they still have a way to go still. But it’s very positive.

“To have one or two youngsters in the England squad is one thing, but to have three when the FA scout so many youth games up and down the country — it’s a tribute to those boys and Bryan Klug (Ipswich’s Academy Head Coach).”

Morris and Dozzell, who was captain, started for England in the first game with Portugal, which ended 1-1.

Those who are handling Nydam will be hoping that the Zimbabwean teenager, one of a number of the country’s budding footballers who have emerged across the world, will be hoping that the rising star joins an illustrious list of stars who went through the Ipswich Town Academy and then made some big-money moves in England.

Former England international, Darren Bent, was groomed by the same Academy and, after joining Charlton Athletic for £2.5 million, his talent attracted a number of suitors with Premiership giants Tottenham Hotspur even breaking their transfer-fee record, back then, by paying £16.5 million for his services.

Another forward, Connor Wickham, was also developed by the Ipswich Town Academy and has already made a number of big-money moves, including a £9 million transfer to English Premiership side, Crystal Palace.