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Michael Kutsanzira

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
BANTU Rovers’ winger Michael Kutsanzira left the country yesterday for the United States of America on a soccer scholarship.

The 18-year-old, Form 6 Gifford High School pupil, who was studying Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, got a scholarship at The Kiski School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

“I’m excited and grateful to Bantu Rovers for affording me this opportunity to go and study in America. I will work hard and be a good ambassador so that the young guys at Bantu Rovers get a similar opportunity. Hopefully, I will be able to play well and balance my studies and maybe one day I will realise my dream of playing in the professional league in America,” said Kutsanzira.

Bantu Rovers have been sending players on scholarships every year and last year they facilitated for former Northlea High student Marvin Sibanda to study at Taft alongside Mthabisi Tshuma.

The other former Rovers’ players in America include 17-year-old midfielder Percival Albert Sibanda, who is at Brooks School.

Rovers’ general manager Wilbert Sibanda challenged Kutsanzira to represent the club well.

“As Bantu Rovers, we are pleased that through our contacts we managed to get a full scholarship for Michael, who is connecting to America from Johannesburg tomorrow (today). It is our hope that he will be able to balance his academic studies with football. It is our hope that he excels in his endeavours and inspires other youngsters to take their studies and sport seriously,” said Sibanda.

Besides Tshuma, Mthabisi and Percival, Rovers also facilitated scholarships for Ezra Siyaduba, Sean Banda, the son of former Bulawayo deputy mayor Gift Banda, Ray Lunga, son of former Highlanders’ striker Gift Lunga senior, and Sean Moyo.

Banda, a former Zimbabwean representative at the continental junior track championships, broke a nearly half-century-old Choate Rosemary High School record in the 100 metres during a track event at Taft School last year. Banda sprinted to the finish line in a jaw-dropping time of 10.60 seconds, beating the old record by 0.05 seconds.

Moyo, a former Mzilikazi High School student is at Bates College. —  @ZililoR.