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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
MANY football players from West Africa usually flock to Europe to enhance their careers, but Cameroonian midfielder Vincent Mbega Herve and three others that are set to go for trials at Harare giants Dynamos this week say they decided to come to Zimbabwe to seek game time.

The former Cameroon Under-20 World Cup player arrived in the country at the weekend together with compatriot Tsala Theodore Landry, Nigerian winger Lawani John and goalkeeper Agyei Fosu Enoch from Ghana.

Players from West Africa have been making a beeline to Zimbabwe since the success story of Cameroonian Joel Christian Epoupa, who made it among the Soccer Stars and also emerged as the top goal scorer for Dynamos in 2017.

Mbega yesterday told The Herald that he learnt of the opportunities in Zimbabwe through Epoupa, who is also his close friend from their home town in Yaoundé.

The 25-year old never played football in Cameroon, but was in the books of Spanish side Mallorca II in the Segunda B, which is the European country’s third tier league, between 2010 and 2013.

But there is a lot of missing information since he left Mallorca II and has been involved in the lower divisions in Spain.

“I had one of my friends who played at Dynamos. His name is Epoupa and I understand he did very well at Dynamos.

“The manager who worked with him also told me to come here because in Zimbabwe you have a chance to play regularly in a competitive league.

“Not only that, but if you play well you have a good chance to be seen by many people around the world as well.

“So I would want to grab this opportunity too. Football has a universal language. The most important moment is now. I have to impress the local coaches first. Maybe after working very hard and proving myself we will see what happens afterwards, whether I go back to Spain or to South Africa,” said Mbega.

The attacking midfielder moved to Spain as a teenager. His strengths, as described on his YouTube promotional videos include “promptness, tenacity, burst of speed and high technique.

“Mbega is powerful and very athletic, sound and very skilful. He has excellent football control skill, very good as a striker, good team player and fans delight to watch. He is confident with or without the ball, good player with the head.”

Player agent George Deda said two more players are expected from West Africa this week.

Deda said he has given Dynamos the preference because they have made contacts to strengthen their side in their rebuilding exercise.

He also said they struck a deal with the players to accept payment through the local channels if they reach an agreement, to avoid the debacle that followed Epoupa’s deal.

“Even though Dynamos as a football club are having financial challenges which are well documented, it’s not a question of Dynamos being where they are, but it’s a question of the country’s economy.

“But as agents, we have a role to help Dynamos. Teams like Dynamos, CAPS United and Highlanders are the benchmark of our domestic football.

“If those teams are not doing well, then Zimbabwean football will be perceived worldwide to be non-performing. When these teams are not ticking, there is no football in Zimbabwe, so we should all be seen to be helping them back to their former glory and this is the only way some of us as agents can contribute.

“Not that the other teams are not important, but these are the three cash cows of our football. We are there to help all clubs, but a healthy CAPS United, Dynamos or Highlanders will make our football exciting.

“All of them are going to train with Dynamos. We are not imposing these players on them, but if they are good they will be signed. We have reached an amicable solution with Dynamos and all the players that have agreed to come and train with Dynamos have agreed to be within the confines of what the club can offer in terms of payment in local currency.

“We are not going to have a repeat of the Epoupa saga,” said Deda.