Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sports Hub
MOHAMED SALAH has been the toast of the English Premier League.
The Egyptian scored his 16th league goal when Liverpool came from behind to beat Leicester City 3-1 at Anfield on Boxing Day.
But it was just before Christmas when the 32-year-old winger grabbed the headlines.
He broke three Premier League records when Liverpool won 6-3 at Tottenham Hotspurs last weekend.
Apart from scoring his 14th and 15th goals in that thriller, Salah also moved to 11 assists, and is now the first ever player in the Premier League history to reach double figures for goals and assists before Christmas.
According to the Premier League, Salah is also the first player since the competition began in 1992 to produce 10 plus goals and 10 plus assists in four consecutive seasons.
“This is also the sixth Premier League season in which Salah has both scored and assisted 10 plus goals, the most by any player in the competition’s history, overtaking Wayne Rooney’s five,” says the Premier League.
Salah’s exploits might be happening over 12 500km away from Harare, but the Egyptian’s amazing feat is having an impact on former Zimbabwe national team and Kaizer Chiefs star defender Lincoln Zvasiya.
Salah’s achievement has left Zvasiya, who now turns out for Scottland FC, believing he can still deliver on the big stage, despite his age.
Zvasiya is a year older than Salah and the two rubbed shoulders in 2013 when Egypt came to Harare and demolished Zimbabwe 4-2 in a 2014 World Cup qualifier at the National Sports Stadium.
The match was played on June 9, 2013, four days before Salah turned 21.
Salah had moved from Swiss club Basel to Chelsea the January before and was still not a global star, while Zvasiya had just won a championship medal with Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa.
Zvasiya, who was then part of a Warriors back four that also included Ocean Mushure, Partson Jaure and Hardlife Zvirekwi, had turned 22 in February of that year.
He even scored one of Zimbabwe’s two goals, with Knowledge Musona chipping in with another one.
While Salah is still a key player for Egypt, Zvasiya has faded into oblivion, but the technically gifted defender is hoping to revive his career with Scottland FC, who recently won promotion into the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
“Scottland FC owner Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya is always pushing me, reminding me of the day I played against Salah.
“‘If you competed against Salah, so which striker is more difficult than Salah in Zimbabwe?’ Sakupwanya is always saying,” Zvasiya said.
“So, I am very happy for Salah because, in a way, he is making Africa proud.
“He is also motivating some of us here in Zimbabwe. If he is still playing for Egypt at 32, what can stop me from doing the same for Zimbabwe.
“Now that I will be playing in the local Premier League next year, I will use that platform to regain my position in the national team.”
After graduating from the Aces Youth Academy, Zvasiya joined Monomotapa in 2010.
He also played for FC Platinum before moving to South Africa in May, 2011.
He spent three years at Amakhosi before he was loaned out to Greek side OFI Crete.
When he came back to Zimbabwe, Zvasiya played for Premiership sides Harare City, ZPC Kariba, Dynamos, CAPS United, Yadah and Craneborne Bullets.
Just when his career appeared destined for an unceremonious end, after a short stint with Northern Region Division One side Golden Eagles in 2023, Zvasiya emerged at Scottland FC early this year and managed to guide the Mabvuku side into the top-flight league.
But Zvasiya’s talent was almost lost to drugs, had the defender not been rescued by a rehabilitation process that was sponsored by Sakupwanya.
“I am happy that Mabvuku now has a Premier Soccer League team,” says Zvasiya. “But this would not have been possible if it was not for club owner Sakupwanya’s enthusiasm.
“He has created employment and empowerment for young people.”
Mabvuku has been without a local PSL side to cheer since the demise of Circle United, but top flight action could return to the old suburb in 2025, if refurbishment of the Mabvuku Number One Ground is completed on time.
Circle United were relegated from the top flight league in 2001 and used Lafarge Stadium on the outskirts of Mabvuku.
“It would be nice for people of Mabvuku to have PSL football on their doorstep,” says Zvasiya.
“A number of youngsters who are into drugs might also be inspired by this development to change their behaviour.
“Drugs are dangerous. I am talking from experience because I was once a victim before I went for rehabilitation, thanks to Sakupwanya.
“I have played senior club football for 13 years now and I have seen a lot. I might be 33, but as a defender, I feel I still have more to offer.
“The main aim is to bounce back into the Warriors setup. With God’s blessings everything is possible.”
