FORMER young Warriors’ midfielder Johnson Zimbabe is eyeing a return to the premier soccer league next year.
TATENDA KUNAKA OWN correspondent
Zimbabe (28) is back in the country after quitting football in June 2011 to pursue a career in engineering at South Africa’s Rostec, a landscape and irrigation water management company.
The pint-sized midfielder-cum striker, an engineer by profession, holds a Bachelor of Technology Honours Degree in Irrigation and water engineering attained at Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT).
Speaking to sister Standardsport, Zimbabe said he would like another dance with the top-flight football.
“I am back in the country now, but I am based in Gweru, working as an irrigation engineer in the Ministry of Agriculture.
“I want to play in the premier league next season for Dynamos, I still have what it takes to play at the highest level despite not playing competitive soccer for a while”, Zimbabe said.
During his playing time, Zimbabe made PSL debut in Masvingo United colours after he had joined the club the previous year when he was still a Lower Six student at Gokomere High School. The team was under the tutelage of Lovemore “Dhidhiri” Nyabedza.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The best match of his career was when Masvingo United defeated Dynamos for the first time, in a match in which he was a hero.
“My memorable match was when we beat Dynamos (1-0) at Mucheke Stadium and I scored the solitary goal,” Zimbabe said.
At Yuna Yuna, as Masvingo United is affectionately known, Zimbabe played with the likes of Itai Gwandu, Costa Nhamoinesu, Godfrey Dondo, Wonder Sithole and Oviddy Karuru. Zimbabe praised former coach Luke “Vahombe” Masomere.
“Of all the coaches that have coached me Masomere was the best. He brings the best out of players through the way he talks to players. It motivates anyone and he is open,” Zimbabe said.
In 2008 Zimbabe finished as the second top goalscorer with 15 goals one behind top goalscorer Cuthbert Malajila.
He represented the country at the Under-20 and U-23 level fand he had one cap at the senior level when he played in a golden silver jubilee celebrations match against Zanzibar.
