Songani settles in Denmark

Sport
ZIMBABWE international winger Silas Songani says he has already settled at his new Danish Superliga club Sonderjy-ske.

ZIMBABWE international winger Silas Songani says he has already settled at his new Danish Superliga club Sonderjy-ske.

BY MICHAEL MADYIRA

After only three weeks that include a two-week trial spell, so quickly has the 24-year-old become comfortable in Denmark.

The former Harare City player’s contract will see him at the Haderslev Fodboldstadion for the next two and half years and he has been handed the number 23 shirt.

Speaking to Standardsport from his one-bedroomed flat in Harderslev on Friday morning, Songani said he was waiting to be picked up for training by his Burkinabe teammate Adama Guira.

“Adama is an African brother and he has been so welcoming since the day I arrived for trials. He has now volunteered to pick me up for training everyday. We get along very well together with another African brother Adigun [Salami] from Nigeria,” said Songani.

“Many guys here speak English, so communication is not a problem. I am a Moslem and I am very free to practise my religion here,” he said. He said he has to prove his worth by playing an instrumental role in saving Sonderjyske from relegation.

The Haderslev-based side are at the foot of the Superliga which is currently on a two and half-month mid-season break and will resume their fight for survival away at equally struggling FCV Vikings on February 21.

“Everything has suddenly changed from what I was used to in Zimbabwe. We have all the facilities here. The cold weather is too harsh but I am getting used to it. We are at the bottom of the league but everyone believes we will survive.”

Interestingly, Sonderjyske are former home to Quincy Antipas who is now with giants Brondby.

“I have spoken to Quincy and he has been showering me with advice. Even guys at the club always talk about him. The fact that he was a nice guy here has made people warmly accept me. I think I am going to enjoy playing against him,” he said.

Having spent two seasons at Sonderjyske, Antipas feels Songani has the potential to stay in Europe beyond Denmark.

“I started speaking to him when he came for trials,” said Antipas. “I think it is a great achievement to get a contract in Europe and now it is up to him to make the next step. The doors have opened for him for the German, French and English leagues and I hope he can push to make it as he has age on his side,” said Antipas.

While all the talk is about players currently participating at the African Nations Championships moving to South African clubs, Songani has evaded the great trek across the Limpopo by becoming Zimbabwe’s latest overseas export.