In his debut season in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, a diminutive midfielder from Triangle United is making a name for himself.
Munashe Bamara, a 24-year-old with a big heart and even bigger dreams, has emerged as one of the standout players of the season, and his sights are set on one day playing in the English Premier League.
For Bamara, who has been a vital part of Triangle United's fight against relegation, the dream of playing in England isn't just a fantasy; it's a belief.
"My dream is to play in the English Premier League, or at least any league there," he said. "I believe anything is possible in life, so that is my wish, and with time, I will."
What makes his ambition feel within reach is a personal connection to a player who has already made the leap: Marshall Munetsi.
Inspired by a fellow Friendly Academy alumni,
Bamara's journey began at the age of five, and just three years later, he joined the renowned Friendly Academy.
It was here that he first crossed paths with Munetsi, who was his senior at the academy.
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Now, Munetsi is a key player for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League, a fact that provides immense motivation for Bamara.
"The fact that Marshall, who was my senior at Friendly Academy, is playing in England and doing well there, also motivates me that one day my dream will come true," Bamara explained.
This isn't the only link Bamara has to England.
His two previous trips to the country for invitational youth tournaments were formative experiences.
In 2016, he was voted the best midfielder in a tournament in Huddersfield, and the following year, he was the top goal scorer in Portsmouth.
"My motivation also comes from the fact that I have been in England twice, and I did well there," he recalled.
Bamara's debut season in the Premier Soccer League has been a whirlwind. He remembers his first game vividly—a 1-0 loss to Scottland—where he nonetheless impressed with his dominant midfield performance.
While the team struggled in the first half of the season, Bamara feels their performances weren't as bad as their results indicated.
"We definitely stuck to game plans but the only letdown is we didn't manage them well, especially during the second half," he noted.
Under the guidance of coach Genesis Mangombe, the Sugar Boys have found their footing, embarking on an impressive 12-game unbeaten run.
The coach's message was simple: work hard, remain united, and fight for survival. Bamara is confident they will avoid relegation, a sentiment echoed by the team's improved form.
A significant factor in his and the team's resurgence has been the leadership of veterans Ali Sadiki and Thabani Kamusoko.
"What has made life easy for me at Triangle is being around Ali Sadiki. He is someone I used to watch growing up and he has been key for me now that we play together," Bamara said.
He describes Sadiki as very intelligent and praises Kamusoko's leadership, which has been crucial to their recent success.
While his immediate focus remains on helping Triangle United survive, Bamara's eyes are firmly fixed on the horizon, with the inspiring story of Munetsi serving as his guidepost on the path to the English Premier League.
