Zimbabwe’s Zemura reaching for the stars ahead of EPL debut

Zimbabwe international defender Jordan Zemura is excited about the prospects of playing at a big stage following his intriguing rise from Bournemouth developmental ranks to English Premiership football.

The 22-year-old left-back is poised for his EPL debut on Saturday when the Cherries host Aston Villa at Vitality stadium in their season-opening assignment.

Bournemouth secured automatic promotion into the English Premier League, finishing as runners-up in the Championship last term. The Warriors defender was pivotal as The Cherries returned to topflight football.

What makes this one special for the left full-back is that he will face his Zimbabwe national teammate Marvelous Nakamba who is plying his trade for the Claret and Blue.

Zemura is confident he can leave a lasting impression in the prestigious league.

“I’m excited to be able to be at this stage. I’ve just got to go with the flow and enjoy the moment. There’s a first time for everything, and I want to go and play in the Champions League. That’s my dream,” Bournemouth’s Daily Echo quotes Zemura.

Zemura and Nakamba, along with the impressive Zambian pair of Enock Mwepu and Patson Daka, who play for Brighton & Hove Albion and Leicester City, respectively, are the only players from the Southern African region who will be playing in the highly rated English Premiership football this season.

He will be hoping to help the Premiership returnees maintain their players in the English top flight this season and to attract interest from elsewhere.

The season kicks off on August 5 with Crystal Palace taking on Arsenal at home at Selhurst Park. Several fixtures are slated for the following day, including Bournemouth and Aston Villa showdown.

Zemura is already a vital cog in the Warriors’ set-up after six caps, including his appearance at the last AFCON finals, played in Cameroon. Born in England to Zimbabwe parents, he becomes the sixth Zimbabwean to play in England’s top-flight after Bruce Grobbelaar, Peter Ndlovu, Benjani Mwaruwari, Nakamba and Brendan Galloway.

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