The Sunday News
Tobias Mandoreba in Hwange
Hwange-born teenage football sensation Nyasha Dube who was recently awarded a scholarship at Northeastern State University in the United States has hit the ground running.
Nyasha (19), an attacking midfielder was instrumental as the university outfit managed to qualify for the national championships round of 16 in the West Virginia state.
Northeastern State University FC, nicknamed “Riverhawks” earned the ticket after coming second in the central region league which has a total of 17 teams.
In an interview with Sunday Life Sport last Wednesday, the team’s coach Rob Czlomka heaped praises on Dube who was among the four new arrivals at the team this year.
“Nyasha is an intriguing addition to our group. He is an athletic midfielder that seems to glide on the pitch and he is a player we have high hopes for coming from a high level overseas. He came alongside three other players and their input in the team is very commendable,” said Czlomka.
Arnold Payne, the owner and president of Payne Global Sports Management who conducted the scouting programme and recommended Nyasha, echoed Czlomka’s sentiments.
“The boy is working very hard and has been a team leader and that is what we expect from our Zimbabwean athletes and I am sure we can also push to have many other young athletes get opportunities similar to Nyasha,” said Payne.
Nyasha, nicknamed “Bhobho” by his peers, is elated to be the only African player who is part of the “Riverhawks” squad, making it to the national finals for the first time since 2012.
“I feel elated to be part of this great feat as the only player from Africa in the team. It will be tough but we are confident of progressing further in the knock-out phase. I will continue working hard to be a Hwange brand ambassador in this part of the world,” said Nyasha.
Football indeed runs in the family as Nyasha is son of former Hwange head coach and midfield maestro Nation Dube. He is a former captain for the Matabeleland North Youth Games team in 2015 and 2016.
