01/03/2024
To Switch Or Not To Switch.
Trey Nyoni made footballing history on Sunday night, when he came on for Harvey Elliott in the last 12 minutes of the FA Cup tie of Liverpool vs Southampton at Anfield.
Aged 16 years, 243 days, Trey became Liverpool’s youngest player ever in the FA Cup.
He also became Liverpool’s third youngest player in the club’s history behind Jerome Sinclair (16 years, 6 days), and Harvey Elliott (16 years, 174 days).
Since that historic moment, as he stood by the Anfield touchline standing besides Legendary coach, master tactician, Manager, and father figure Jurgen Klopp, the 16 year old resembled the figure of a young artillery soldier being given his final commands from his General, before admirably trotting into his first battle.
His nervous smile, and the clever looking side ways act as if to check of any enemy intrusion against his fellow troops will forever linger in the memory of the thousands and millions of Liverpool supporters across the globe.
His last act was looking up to his 1. 91m tall Manager, as if asking, ‘Are you sure that you are sending me out there?’
The positive response from The Klopp was his trademark smile, revealing the pearly white veneers implanted during his time in England by Dr. Robbie Hughes, the dentist who also worked wonders on Roberto Firmino’s teeth.
Klopp in essence, gave a resounding response, and without seemingly saying a word, he in-fact gave his blessings to his newest kid on The Kop.
Immediately, the internet went into an uncontrollable frenzy, with keyboard football managers, self-acclaimed pundits, family, friends, well-wishers and United fans all sending their messages of joy, encouragement and the usual banter and absurd rhetoric from those of ‘The Theatre of Nightmares’.
But one nationality hogged the internet, and still are as of now, and will continue to do so forever, in an ongoing debate that has inundated our space for a few years now.
Many young footballers have found themselves in a catch 22 situation, not by design, and are often referred to as ‘born to Zimbabwean parents’, a very correct English usage.
I had to correct one fellow Zimbabwean yesterday who threw a derogatory comment at an analyst who had used it, and I reminded him that the phrase had been used appropriately.
Trey was born in England to Zimbabwean parents on June 30, 2007.
This means that he is eligible to play for England, his country of birth, or Zimbabwe through his family, and that is what it is.
Playing for England or Zimbabwe is all about his personal choice, and the Zimbabwean public needs to respect, and understand this.
To switch or not to switch is the title of my article, and whether he makes that switch, or not is entirely his decision.
What we need to understand is that children born to Zimbabwean parents abroad, do not have the same allegiance to Zimbabwe as the keyboard warrior venting their anger from a triangular shaped internet cafe in Matoranhembe, near Murombedzi, or in the canteen of Chawagona Hapana Prison in my hometown of Bindura.
The latter love their Zimbabwe country through thick and thin, and that is brilliant, but that love cannot be enforced upon a 16 year old born in the country which can have all the 4 seasons of summer, autumn, winter and spring in the 24 hours called a day.
He is accustomed to these weather conditions, he like our 9 year old, will wear a short all throughout winter at school, even when the temperature is -5.
He will eat Sunday roast, beans on toast, mashy peas, a McDonalds meal, or simply, fish and chips.
He will indulge himself in watching Misfits, My Mad Fat Diary, and or Inbetweeners.
Gaming and using social media, texting, watching movies, reading and going to the beach or park is a pastime for him, after all he is a British teenager.
That is where the bone of contention emanates from.
How can a black boy born to Zimbabwean parents be a British, or call himself British?
He is not calling himself British, but he is British - period.
A black man born at Nyadire Hospital in Mtoko can be British for goodness sake, and decide to represent England in any discipline as he wishes.
But for the footballer in question, he wasn’t born in Mtoko, Gandanzara or Mutanhaurwa in Musana, but he was born in England.
Should we strip him off of his choices and or his wishes to life just because of our desire to see him play for Zimbabwe? This is a country which he probably has no attachment to.
Much as you might have expected attachment to the country of your birth, he has much attachment to the country of his birth too.
Our quest for Zimbabwean success on all fronts is all the more noble and grand, but it must never ever be done from motives that necessitate our wants, while at the same time encroaching into the choices and wishes of others.
Respecting other people’s choices is something that is difficult for the majority of fellow Zimbabweans. I see vitriol language daily on social media platforms, mixed with an unending hatred, and deep-seated ill-will.
Often this happens when you write your opinion, and you see comments being bashed against you, but what most forget to attribute is that everyone has an opinion, even fools.
But those opinions must be allowed to stand, no matter if you don’t assert them, after all they are opinions and not facts.
We as parents of children born in the diaspora, are still trying to understand our children in these environments, but we have our fellow citizens back in the motherland, who believe that they understand our children better than us.
How is that?
Such an issue needs to be understood in simplistic ways, but that is easier said than done.
There are other footballers born to Zimbabwean parents, representing the Warriors, but again that is their choice, and if people can, or could respect these choices, then there would be none of this.
Really, there ought to be no unnecessary pressure on the young player, but rather he should be given all the encouragement, love and support.
In no way should anyone ever be subjected to coercion, manipulation, intimidation and or abuse just because a certain quota of the society want their desires fulfilled.
Let us continue to love each other in peace and harmony, allowing the next individual to air out their facts, and or opinions, without fear.
The Ubuntu in us must be the catalyst, which if belted around our waist, should act as a reminder to us, that after all, we are one people.
Let us leave the player to enjoy his football, and grow enjoying his career, and whatever decision he makes, let us stand with him.
Let love, joy and peace reign.
Remain blessed, encouraged and happy.
Kudzai-Martin Mandizha
