The Sunday Mail
Mugove Chigada
ZIMBABWEAN goalkeeper Martin Mapisa has been bridging the gap between his country’s football and that of Spain for a while now.
At 1,95 metres height and already established in the Segunda B league at Zamora CF, you cannot bet against him making more history in coming years.
The Aces Youth Academy product is 22 and still dreams of making it into the Spanish La Liga or any of Europe’s top leagues.
And that Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN) recently signed an agreement with one of the world’s best leagues, La Liga, to broadcast matches in Zimbabwe is even more reason for Mapisa to push himself into the real limelight.
It is all set for him!
“I have to do more,” Mapisa said, speaking from his base in Zamora, Spain.
“I have to lead by example so that people know Zimbabwe has talent.”
If he makes the break, Zimbabweans could even get another reason to watch La Liga.
ZTN has been broadcasting Saturday matches while showing all highlights on Tuesdays.
It is a big step taken by the station recently licensed by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ).
And Mapisa is fully aware he is close to showcasing his talent to the rest of Zimbabwe; only if he can push.
Nothing is impossible, he says.
“I have always said I want to be the best player in the world,” the soft-spoken goalie added.
“I think I’m the first young goalkeeper from Zimbabwe. I have to prove myself so that they can go back to my country and look for more players.”
The Spanish movement has been slowly gaining momentum.
Recently, La Liga side Real Betis expanded into Zimbabwe by setting up a football academy.
La Liga MD Marcos Pelegrin officiated in Harare, heralding a new era for Zimbabwe and Spanish relations in football.
However, Mapisa says that alone won’t cut it.
His upbringing in one of Harare’s popular suburbs— Glen Norah, is a quick reminder of why he should move mountains.
In Zamora, an area that lies on a rocky hill in Northwest of Spain, known as the museum of Romanesque art, Mapisa will have more mountains to move.
There is more to inspire the Zimbabwean goalie than just appearances at Estadio Ruta de la Plata and the rich history of the province.
About 50 kilometres away, is the Portuguese frontier where one of the greatest players in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo, dared to dream.
And just 247 kilometres away, there is Madrid where Real and Atletico are in a potential battle of the decade, the La Liga title race.
A journey by train from Zamora to Barcelona is pegged at around US$64, just to be in the same place with a football god, Lionel Messi.
Forget the 826 kilometres.
Such is the pain of a mission, and Mapisa is fully aware.
Besides, the journey which started at Zuvarabuda Primary School in Glen Norah, later Kwayedza in Highfield suburb and eventually Lord Malvern High School in Waterfalls, is still on.
