Derby debut dream for Kadonzvo

Sport
The only player who has been impressive for struggling Zimbabwean football giants Dynamos is none other than little known Valentine Kadonzvo.

The only player who has been impressive for struggling Zimbabwean football giants Dynamos is none other than little known Valentine Kadonzvo.

BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE

Kadonzvo — virtually unknown at the start of the season has been a livewire on the left flank for Dembare, causing a lot of problems for opposition defenders, but more often than not he has lacked support from his teammates.

Since he replaced Ocean Mushure in the 55th minute in the season opening loss away to Chicken Inn, Kadonzvo has started in every Dynamos match and justified his inclusion. The 23-year-old was even on target in the 3-3 home draw with Shabanie, scoring the opening goal of the tie.

Kadonzvo is one of the players in the Dynamos ranks yet to open their big Harare derby account against arch-rivals, Caps United.

And today could be the day the talented pintsized winger fulfills his childhood dream of playing in this derby.

“I used to dream of playing in these kind of matches when I was young. In fact, it’s every player’s dream to play in a match between two giants of Zimbabwean football. It’s a very big match, many people follow it. Possibly it’s the biggest match of the season in Zimbabwe. I also followed it before I started playing professional football,” the former Twalumba and DStv Rangers player told The Sports Hub.

“I am confident of doing well if I am chosen to play. It’s just a game of football like any other although there is added pressure. The good thing is that motivation in a match of this kind comes naturally. I am looking forward to making my mark in the Harare derby,” Kadonzvo added.

However, the former Pamushana High School striker is not altogether new to playing Caps United as he was one of the stars when Dynamos beat Makepekepe in the ZNA Charities Shield tournament.

Today, he is set to make his debut in this derby in the Premier League.

While on personal level he is having the season of his life, Kadonzvo rallied his side to bounce back and win the league despite a horror start.

“The season has been great for me so far. It’s just that the results are not coming, but I think I have performed well. It’s my first full season and I want to play well and score a lot of goals because I am naturally a goalscorer from my days as a striker.

“As a team, we want to fight for the championship and possibly win it. I know many people are counting us out because we have made a slow start, but I know we will surely bounce back,” he said.

Kadonzvo joined Dynamos mid 2016 but only signed a contract at the beginning of last year.

The winger spent the better part of the season on the sidelines only to feature in the last four games as DeMbare finished runners-up in the league.

His football career started at St Eric High School in his hometown, Norton-the same school that nurtured Mighty Warriors Spain-based striker Rutendo Makore.

He then moved to Pamushana and later Conway College for his Advanced Level before he was signed by Twalumba Holdings in the Northern Region Division 1 in 2014.

The following year he was in the books of DStv Rangers prior to his switch to Dembare.

Kadonzvo has some lofty dreams.

“I want to play in the English Premier League, specifically for Arsenal — that is my dream and I think I am well set to achieve it. But at the moment I just want to focus on giving the best to my current team, Dynamos,” he said.