The Sunday Mail
Ishemunyoro Chingwere
GOALKEEPER Nelson Chadya reckons those who believe he is the next Warriors number one are not mistaken at all.“That’s very true, I am the next big thing and whoever is saying that knows football,” says the Ngezi Platinum Stars goalkeeper.
Chadya announced his arrival on the big stage in style, playing a starring role as the Young Warriors held a highly-fancied Cameron in a CAF Under-20 Cup of Nations qualifier in Harare last year.
Unbeknown to football lovers who were at the National Sports Stadium that sunny Sunday afternoon was the fact that their hero of the day had no goalkeeper’s coach at his club.
This year Ngezi Platinum Stars have roped in Gift “Umbro” Muzadzi and Chadya, who is set to guard goal in his team’s maiden Caf Confederations Cup game today, believes it’s time to shine.“Last year was a breakthrough year for me but we had no goalkeeper’s trainer at Ngezi so there are some things I had to know but didn’t know.
“However, this year we have had the fortune of having Gift Muzadzi as our teacher and with his expert help I know I can only grow from strength to strength,” he says.
Chadya missed out on the Africa Cup of Nations squad as coach Kallisto Pasuwa chose to go with Tatenda Mkuruva, Donovan Bernard and Takabva Mawaya.
Interestingly Mawaya is now at Ngezi battling Chadya for the number one jersey.
“I am not worried by Takabva’s arrival, if anything it encourages me. The way I look at it is he is here to give me competition.
“As for the Afcon miss, it actually gave me energy to work even harder because I know I am not at the stage I want to be but my time will come very soon,” says the goalie who made 24 Premier Soccer League appearances last season.
