CHIMEDZA GETS HIS GOLDEN CHANCE

WARRIORS coach Mariana “Super Mario” Marinica wants to give everyone a chance and has cast his eye on highly-rated winger Cobert Junior Chimedza.The 20-year-old arrived in Harare on Sunday from his base in Portugal to join the bloated Warriors squad which has started preparations for the 2025 AFCON finals.It’s a massive breakthrough for Chimedza whose handlers have been wondering why the talented winger has not been getting recognition despite being the only Zimbabwean who is on the books of a Portuguese Primiera Liga side.Chimedza became the first Zimbabwean to sign for a Portuguese top-flight side since Independence when he joined Gil Vincente at the start of the season.He is only the second Zimbabwean to be signed by a Portuguese Primiera Liga side after the legendary Freddie Mkwesha who joined Braga in the ‘60s.Chimedza was loaned to AC Marinhense to get some game time.His standout performance this season came in a Taca de Portugal first round match when he inspired AC Marinhense to victory.Taça de Portugal is the premier knockout tournament in Portugal.Chimedza impressed with his bag of skills and wizardry down the flanks in that match, which ended in a 1-1 draw before Marinhense won on penalties.It’s easy to understand why Chimedza has not been on the radar.He moved to London when he was just 14 and his talent was quickly spotted by English club MK Dons.Then, he was set to move to Turkish side Adana Demirspor but the deal collapsed at the last minute.That Patrick Kluivert was pushing the move shows that Chimedza has a star quality because the ex-Dutch forward, one of the finest strikers of his generation, knows when he sees a real gem.However, Chimedza surfaced in Portugal.“It has been a great couple of months, and already, I feel like I have grown so much as a player,” he told Zimpapers Sports.“The environment here is perfect for my development.”“For the future, I will try to be disciplined and put my head down.“I believe I’ll be able to achieve higher in football.‘‘So, I am just going to stay focused and see what the future holds.”Chimedza has made no secret about his mission to represent his country.And, the arrival of Super Mario appears to have given him his chance among a battery of youthful talent in the squad. WARRIORS coach Mariana “Super Mario” Marinica wants to give everyone a chance and has cast his eye on highly-rated winger Cobert Junior Chimedza. The 20-year-old arrived in Harare on Sunday from his base in Portugal to join the bloated Warriors squad which has started preparations for the 2025 AFCON finals.

It’s a massive breakthrough for Chimedza whose handlers have been wondering why the talented winger has not been getting recognition despite being the only Zimbabwean who is on the books of a Portuguese Primiera Liga side. Chimedza became the first Zimbabwean to sign for a Portuguese top-flight side since Independence when he joined Gil Vincente at the start of the season. He is only the second Zimbabwean to be signed by a Portuguese Primiera Liga side after the legendary Freddie Mkwesha who joined Braga in the ‘60s.

Chimedza was loaned to AC Marinhense to get some game time. His standout performance this season came in a Taca de Portugal first round match when he inspired AC Marinhense to victory. Taça de Portugal is the premier knockout tournament in Portugal.

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Chimedza impressed with his bag of skills and wizardry down the flanks in that match, which ended in a 1-1 draw before Marinhense won on penalties. It’s easy to understand why Chimedza has not been on the radar. He moved to London when he was just 14 and his talent was quickly spotted by English club MK Dons.

Then, he was set to move to Turkish side Adana Demirspor but the deal collapsed at the last minute. That Patrick Kluivert was pushing the move shows that Chimedza has a star quality because the ex-Dutch forward, one of the finest strikers of his generation, knows when he sees a real gem.

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