The Sunday Mail
HE Zimbabwean starlet who loved cleaning Riyad Mahrez’s boots and is touted as Jamie Vardy’s potential successor at English Premier League side Leicester City is excited to be coming home to launch his Warriors career.
Admiral Dali Muskwe is part of a United Kingdom based brigade of players that have been called up for national duty by interim Warriors coach Wilson Mutekede ahead of this week’s friendly matches away to Lesotho and Namibia.HE Zimbabwean starlet who loved cleaning Riyad Mahrez’s boots and is touted as Jamie Vardy’s potential successor at English Premier League side Leicester City is excited to be coming home to launch his Warriors career.
And the 19-year-old Leicester City player, who is expected in the country tomorrow, shared his excitement with The Sunday Mail in an exclusive interview.
“It’s an honour to have been called up to the national team, hopefully this is the first of many call ups. It shows I have been putting in some hard work and it’s paying off,” said Muskwe.
The striker was born at Mbuya Nehanda Maternity at Parirenyatwa in Hospital in 1998 and left Harare for the United Kingdom to join his father who was already settled in Leicester.
Muskwe was snapped up by Leicester City when he was just eight and has over the years risen through the ranks to become one of the most potent strikers in the England Premier League 2, a new format that recently replaced the Under 21 competition.
Last year, the Zimbabwean inked his first professional contract, which keeps him at the King Power until July 2019, and was also rewarded with a trip to Austria to a pre-season tour with the Leicester City first team.
In one of those pre-season games against Oxford United, Muskwe came on as a second half substitute for top striker Vardy.
Muskwe, who was named the Leicester City Academy Best Player for 2016, reminisced about the days he used to clean Mahrez’s boots in his spare time.
“It was during the 2016 pre-season tour that I used to clean Riyad Mahrez’s boots. I had been named the Academy Best Player and was awarded with pre-season training with the first team in Austria.
“It was a great experience mixing with these big name players. It gave me self-confidence and I hope to use all that I have learnt from them for the benefit of my country Zimbabwe,” revealed Muskwe.
The Leicester City website described Muskwe as a potent attacking force after the Zimbabwean scored in a 2-1 win over Liverpool last Sunday.
“Muskwe’s form in front of goal has been vital for the club’s Under 23s for almost two seasons and the 19-year-old continues to live up to his billing as City’s most potent attacking force.
“His deft equalizer just before the break was a deserved return for another combative display,” wrote the website.
The Liverpool website described Muskwe’s goal as a poacher’s finish.
“However, Admiral Muskwe’s poacher’s finish deservedly drew the visitors level shortly before half time,” reads part of the match report on the Liverpool site.
Muskwe is desperate to make a similar impression in national team colours.
“I am definitely coming for the friendly games, I am flying out with Tendai (Darikwa), arriving in Harare on Monday (tomorrow).
“There are several quality Zimbabwean players here in the UK, playing for good teams. Hopefully we can add strength and depth to the quality that’s already within the national team,” he said.
The 25-year-old Darikwa, who has featured 13 times for Championship side Nottingham Forest this term, was expected to play against Queens Park Rangers yesterday before catching the flight home.
Warriors Squad
Goalkeepers: Edmore Sibanda (Caps United), George Chigova (Polokwane City)
Defenders: Dennis Dauda (Yadah Stars), Tendai Darikwa (Nottingham Forest), Qadr Amini (Ngezi Platinum), Jameson Mukombwe (Black Rhinos), Kelvin Moyo (F.C Platinum), Peter Muduwa (Highlanders)
Midfielders: Kundai Benyu (Celtic), Kudakwashe Mahachi (Golden Arrows), Marvelous Nakamba (Club Brugge), Ali Sadiki (F.C Platinum), Liberty Chakoroma (Ngezi Platinum), Devon Chafa (Caps United), Leeroy Mavunga (Yadah Stars) and Ishmael Wadi (Bulawayo City)
Strikers: Evans Rusike (Maritzburg United), Knowledge Musona ( KV Oostende), Admiral Muskwe (Leicester), Macauley Bonne (Leyton Orient), Tinotenda Kadewere (Djurgardens), Tendai Ndoro (AL Faisaly F.C)
