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Innocent Kurira, [email protected]

AARON Ngwenya, the 23-year-old goalkeeper for Arenel Movers, has overcome his share of disciplinary challenges that once sidetracked his football career.

These issues are now in the past, as he has embarked on a new journey that has allowed him to rekindle his exceptional goalkeeping skills,  delighting both his colleagues and mentors.

At the tender age of 18, Ngwenya made his first appearance in top-tier football, but his career was marred by absenteeism and other disciplinary problems. His  contract with Bulawayo City was terminated in 2018 following his absence from a scheduled match against CAPS United in Harare. Subsequently, he faced rejection from Bulawayo Chiefs and ended the year with Tsholotsho FC, after which he found himself without a club.

Determined to resurrect his career, Ngwenya spent 2022 training independently. His perseverance paid off as he recently reclaimed his status as one of the best Premier Soccer League (PSL) goalkeepers so far. His  outstanding performance last season earned him the accolades of Player of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year in the ZIFA Southern Region Division One league, leading Arenel Movers to promotion.

Ngwenya’s remarkable record includes 29 clean sheets, contributing to Arenel’s impressive tally of 78 goals scored and only five conceded. In his return to top-flight football, he has maintained his formidable  presence, not conceding a single goal in 180 minutes of play, resulting in draws against Ngezi Platinum and Chicken Inn.

Aaron Ngwenya in action

“I have put everything behind me and I’m now focused on my game. I once went through a bad patch but I have never stopped believing. I am back to be the country’s number one goalkeeper  and l have no doubt l will achieve that. It’s all about refocusing and resetting your goals. I have learned from my mistakes and I believe this will be my season. I believe I have what it takes to be on the soccer stars calendar this year,” said the shot-stopper.

“We have had a good start in the league and I am confident I will get enough clean sheets to keep us in the topflight league,” said Ngwenya.
On his recent honour in the region, he said: “It  feels good to be honoured. It was a great season. I would like to thank my teammates and coaches who all contributed to this success. The goal now is to keep as many clean sheets as I can in the topflight league.”

Ngwenya’s football journey is marked  by a series of engagements with various teams across different divisions.

His career commenced in 2009 with  Iminyela Stars’ Under-14 team, where his notable height advantage saw him participating in Under-16 and Under-18 matches as well.

Progressing through the ranks, he eventually joined the training sessions for the Stars’ Division Two squad while still active in junior leagues.
In 2011, Ngwenya transferred to Mpumelelo  Shining Stars, where he remained until 2013 before moving to Magwegwe Pirates in Division Two the following year.

His potential was recognised by Bulawayo City,  leading to trials and a subsequent signing in 2015 when the club was competing in Division One.

During his tenure, he was loaned to NUST in June of that year and later to ZRP Bulawayo in March 2016, where  he earned the    accolade of best goalkeeper in the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Cup tournament.

Bulawayo  City recalled Ngwenya and included him in their PSL squad in 2017, providing him the opportunity to showcase his skills against top-tier teams such as Dynamos and Highlanders. His career has come full circle, with his first and last matches in the topflight league being against these very teams, highlighting the breadth of his experience across the football landscape.-@innocentskizoe