Zifa courts Zim stars abroad

Sport
Zifa say they have written to over 70 football federations requesting names of professional players as well as semi-professionals (from Zimbabwe)

Zifa say they have written to over 70 football federations requesting names of professional players as well as semi-professionals (from Zimbabwe) playing in various leagues in the world as the association seeks to provide the Warriors technical department with a wider selection base.

Tawanda Tafirenyika Sports Correspondent

With reports that Chesterfield midfielder Tendayi Darikwa has attracted the attention of Manchester United coach David Moyes, it has heightened interest at Zifa as the association appears to be moving swiftly to have the player considered for national team selection.

Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela said the association had resolved to search for names of Zimbabwean players in various leagues.

“We have written to over 70 football associations in the world requesting them to provide us with names of players playing under their leagues. We want all players of Zimbabwean extraction playing either professional or semi-professional football,” he said.

“While we take pride in the independence of our technical department, once we get all this information we will notify the technical team which will then use its discretion in team selection.”

The 21-year-old Darikwa born in Nortingham to Zimbabwean parents, holds a British passport.

Last week he said he was still weighing up a number of factors on whether he could play for Zimbabwe.

He, however, gave a strong hint he could play for the Warriors if selected.

Moyes had shown interest in Darikwa while at Everton last season and renewed his interest in the player when he visited Fleetwood Town at Highbury for a top-of-the-table English League Two clash two weeks ago.

A number of Zimbabwean starlets are dotted around the globe with most of them doing very well for their respective teams.

These include former Prince Edward High School student Tinotenda Chibharo playing for the Manchester City Under-21 side.

Bradley Pritchard, who plays for Charlton Athletic in England, was once called up for national duty by former Warriors coach Rahman Gumbo, but surprisingly was never given a chance to play.

Other Zimbabwean players in Europe include:

  •  Brendan Zibusiso Galloway (17) playing for Milton Keynes Dons in England
  •   Lyle Orange and Mikaeel White both at Barnet in the Conference Premier, the fifth tier of Barclays Premier League (BPL).
  • Cecil Nyoni born in Gwanda on September 1 1992 is on the books of Championship side Nottingham Forest. He is at home playing both as a defender or midfielder. He was sent on loan to Worksop Town who play in the Northern Premier League division
  • Jonathan Fusco at Sheffield Wednesday who are in the Championship, the second tier of the BPL system. The 16-year-old Fusco, born in Zimbabwe, is a strong, dynamic striker who looks set to shine in Wednesday’s Academy, set up in the 2013-2014 season. Having impressed the head of Full Contact Football Agency team Lee Payne earlier in the year, Fusco now joins the Full Contact ranks
  •   Munya Mbanje (16) (Leeds Academy) Leeds are in the English Championship — a tier below the BPL.
  •   Tando Yuji Velaphi (25)— Australian Super-A League goalkeeper. He has previously asked to be considered for the Zimbabwe national team. He plays for Melbourne Victory and has represented Australia at age-group level.