By Rex Mphisa
A top African former soccer star will grace this year’s edition of the Ziyah Schools ball games tournament.
In an interview on Wednesday, the host of the tournament and Chief Executive of Ziyah Media Loadwell Ziyadumah revealed that a prominent yesteryear star will feature at the games.
“He comes as an inspiration to our young sportsmen. We have said sport is no longer just entertainment but business. And this is what we expect our learners to emulate,” Ziyadumah said.
Asked to reveal the name of the player, he said when everything has been finalised, which is almost done, he willNnounce the surprise guest.
“When everything is in place, we will announce our guests, but people should expect one of the most famous African players to play abroad,” he said.
Famous African players who plied their trade are many, but Lucas Radebe, who turned out and captained Leeds, the first African to, comes to mind.
Another great person who happened to be the first African to play in the English Premier League is Peter Ndlovu, born and bred in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Austin Jay Jay Okocha, of Nigeria, famed for having taken part in the moulding of Ronaldinho, whose real name is Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, is another African great.
Jay-Jay Okocha and Ronaldinho played together as teammates at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) from 2001 to 2002.
Okocha served as an experienced player and a mentor to the younger Ronaldinho during their time at the club.
The two players were colleagues at the French club Paris Saint-Germain before Ronaldinho moved to Barcelona and Okocha went to Bolton Wanderers.
During their time at PSG, the more experienced Okocha reportedly took Ronaldinho under his wing, with Ronaldinho later crediting Okocha as a source of inspiration and learning from his skills and tactics.
Quinton Fortune is another African great who comes to mind.
Fortune, a South African played for Manchester United for many years and may have influenced the team’s South Africa gour under the mentorship of Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Ziyah Mediah Schools Tourney will see 10 schools, nine from Beitbridge and defending champions. Chibi High School battles it out on Sunday.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Matabeleland South Province will be the guest of honour in what promises to be an explosive Sunday.