Team Zim UK host player awards

Nhlanhla Mbele

TEAM Zimbabwe UK-based franchise held their first-ever players’ awards in a decade in honour of their growth and successes, in an event held at the Waltham Abbey Marriott Hotel, Old Shire, in the United Kingdom (UK) last Saturday. 

Thomas Tomic, Team Zimbabwe UK administrator, said the victory celebrations were not only dedicated to giving out awards but also to celebrate the management’s achievements over the years.

“We started up pretty small but we had a vision of wanting to create a community organisation that basically will not only bring Zimbabweans through the sport of football but bring the whole community together,” Tomic said.

Last year, Team Zimbabwe UK were crowned champions of the London Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) games played in London. They played Nigeria in the finals and walked away victorious after a 10-year wait.

The event, which was dedicated to the African Nations Cup (UK), saw a large turnout of Zimbabweans supporting their fellow countrymen and on the same occasion Team Zimbabwe UK honoured the legendary former Warriors’ skipper Peter “Nsukuzonke” Ndlovu with an Award of Excellence for his outstanding contributions to Zimbabwean football.

Team Zimbabwe UK chief executive Marshall Gore said: “We take pride from Peter’s professional career and his serious commitment and dedication as a national team player. As captain of the Zimbabwe National Team Peter demonstrated true leadership both on and off the pitch. His outstanding performance and achievements were also felt abroad. Peter was the first African player to play in the English Premier League and also one of the longest serving EPL players.

“His humility and generosity made him reach out to many, becoming a source of inspiration and role model to many young footballers in Zimbabwe and the Diaspora,” said Gore.

He scored over 90 goals during his 12 seasons, garnering about 338 appearances in the English leagues. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers to emerge from Zimbabwe, earning 100 caps for his country and scoring 38 international goals.

Ndlovu remains the youngest player to win the Soccer Star of the year award in the History of Zimbabwean football. He won the award in 1990 at the age of 17, before retaining it in 1991 at the age of 18.

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