Sports Correspondent
Former Zimbabwe international footballer Alois Bunjira says Liverpool youngster Trey Nyoni is proud of his Zimbabwean heritage and has never denied his roots, dismissing reports suggesting otherwise as fake and deeply hurtful to the teenager’s family.
Bunjira, a trained journalist, said he met Nyoni’s maternal grandmother at St Clare Roman Catholic Church in Harare on Sunday, where they had a lengthy discussion about the talented midfielder’s Zimbabwean roots and his international future.
According to Bunjira, the family was particularly disappointed by reports and social media posts attributed to Nyoni suggesting that he was not Zimbabwean.
“What I gathered from the discussion is that the family was much disappointed by the fake articles attributed to Trey saying he was not Zimbabwean. The grandmother stressed that Trey never said those things and he was very much hurt reading that and some insults hurled towards him,” Bunjira wrote on his popular FaceBook page.
“I also gathered the fact that Trey Nyoni is very much proud to be Zimbabwean, with a full Zimbabwean heritage. Both sets of maternal and paternal grandparents are full Zimbabweans. Both parents are full Zimbabweans, with one coming from Mbare and the other coming from Bulawayo. There is no way he cannot be Zimbabwean, although he holds British citizenship.”
Nyoni, who was born in England, is currently an England youth international and has risen through the ranks at Liverpool, where he is regarded as one of the club’s promising young talents.
His international future at senior level, however, remains undecided, with Zimbabwean supporters hoping he could eventually choose to represent the Warriors.
Bunjira believes Nyoni should be given time and space to focus on his development before making what could be a defining decision about his international career.
“Trey is currently an England youth international but deserves space to clear his head as he enters the most crucial time of his career with Liverpool, before he can commit to full international football with either England or Zimbabwe,” Bunjira said.
“At the end of the day, it is his choice. If he does choose to represent England, we as Zimbabweans should respect that choice and continue supporting mwana wevhu (son of the soil) as a footballer. If he chooses Zimbabwe, we shall rejoice.”
Bunjira criticised those responsible for publishing what he characterized as false and negative reports about the teenager.
“Those who write fake negative articles about Trey Nyoni should stop, amana. It is so hurtful to the family,” he said.
The former Warriors star said he used his meeting with Nyoni’s grandmother to explain why he believes representing Zimbabwe could be beneficial to the young midfielder, while also making it clear that he personally hopes to see him play for the Warriors.
“Myself on the other side, I explained to the grandmother all the advantages of choosing Zimbabwe and expressed my wish for Trey to play for Zimbabwe,” Bunjira said.
“Yes, playing for England has its own advantages, but it has its own downside, and I believe the advantages of playing for Zimbabwe far outweigh those of playing for England, emotions included.”
Bunjira also revealed that he told Nyoni’s grandmother about his personal wish to see the young midfielder eventually play for Manchester United, while expressing hope that she would pass on the message to the Liverpool player.
“I also told her that I wish one day Trey will move and play for Manchester United. I am hoping she will pass on my message to Trey as I am one of his greatest fans,” he said.
Bunjira is a known supporter of Manchester United.
Despite Nyoni’s current involvement with England’s youth teams, Bunjira remains optimistic that the midfielder could eventually choose Zimbabwe at senior level.
“Having said all that, I have a deep feeling that Trey will choose to play for Zimbabwe soon. It is just natural and a shoo-in. He will be a hero here in Zimbabwe,” Bunjira said.
For now, Nyoni’s immediate focus is likely to remain on his development at Liverpool as he seeks to establish himself at the highest level of club football.
Under new Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola, Nyoni has made a positive early impression during pre-season, with his prospects of breaking into the first team appearing increasingly promising.
