It’s a dream come true for Zimbabwean starlet Bill Antonio as he is set to complete a move to Belgian Pro League outfit KV Mechelen.
The pacey Dynamos winger impressed the Belgians with his speed and tact following a month-long trial stint at the club in July.
While it is not yet clear what KV Mechelen will offer him, the former Prince Edward High School student is excited that the decision to be a professional footballer while his peers continued with school is on the verge of a quick payoff.
“My brother, all I can say is dreams come true. Let’s always put our trust in God,” Antonio told FARPost.
Antonio finished his Advanced Level [Form Six] last year when he had already established himself as the Dynamos’ mainstay in the attack.
He took the risk of abandoning school despite his good grades to follow his passion for football.
Little did he know that he was following a biblical star to where his career would turn for the best.
On several occasions, Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya openly admitted that the 20-year-old was the main driving force in their title chase. They are in the second position, six points behind FC Platinum.
He is expected to complete the move to the Antwerp-based club next week after medicals scheduled for this weekend.
Antonio will hope to follow in the footsteps of former Kaizer Chiefs striker and Zimbabwe national team captain Knowledge Musona whose career flourished in Belgium, where he played for KV Ostende and AS Eupen.
He could also become the second player to be signed in Europe straight from the Harare-based club, after Moses Chunga, who moved to the same country in the late 80s.
Antonio’s rise in stock will also be music to the Zimbabwe Warriors coach Norman Mapeza who has always been the player’s admirer.
The ex-Chippa coach gave Antonio his debut for the Warriors during a World Cup qualifier against neighbours South Africa back in November last year.
He featured for a few minutes as Zimbabwe was bundled out of the competition by Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana.
From then, the rookie striker was also included in the Zimbabwe provisional Warriors team for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations held in Cameroon.
However, he was dropped from the final squad as the coach settled for experienced players.
