Real Madrid and Brazil star Vinicius Jr recently moved into the world of football club ownership with the purchase of Nkanyiso Shinga’s Portuguese side FC Alverca.
Interestingly, just three months after the Brazilian became part of a consortium that bought a majority stake in the club, they have secured top-flight promotion.
Alverca secured a 2-1 victory over Portimonense, finishing the season in second place, just behind Sithole’s CD Tondela. Friday night’s victory allowed Alverca to accumulate 63 points, narrowly trailing Sphephelo Sithole’s CD Tondela, who topped the 18-team league with 64 points.
According to reports from Portugal, the previous owner, Ricardo Vicintin, sold somewhere between 70 and 80 per cent of the club to the Madrid star and his partners. This season, the KZN-born left-back featured in 22 matches for the former Liga Portugal 2 club.
THE IMPACT OF VINICIUS JR’S ACQUISITION OF ALVERCA ON KZN-BORN NKANYISO SHINGA
As the club ascends to the top division of the southern European country’s football under new ownership, there are indications that some changes may be forthcoming.
“Nkanyiso has been a regular. He’s been Alverca’s one left back the whole season. However, with Vinicius having acquired Alverca, there is a sense that we could witness an influx of Brazilians joining the team. That may have a bearing on his future depending on the kind of players they sign,” explained digital scout, Prince Sobayeni.
Following the purchase of Vinicius Jr, reports indicated that the club would invest heavily in strengthening the squad to compete in the Liga Portugal.
The 25-year-old Shinga, who joined the club in the Lisbon district at the beginning of the season, will have no shortage of options, as there are indications of interest from clubs both in Portugal and Kaizer Chiefs.
Shinga has a year left on his contract with the club after joining them from Estrela da Amadora.
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