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10-day trials for Kanyenda
By
Garry Chirwa - 27-12-2002 |
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It’s now beyond the shadow of doubt. At long last, Robust forward Essau Kanyenda is scheduled to leave Johannesburg Saturday evening for France for two-week trials with top league outfit Marseille.
The 22-year-old star forward who is at the climax of his career said in a telephone interview from Johannesburg on Thursday that all is now set for his trip and looking forward to swaying the top French outfit into getting him on board..
Sounding very excited, Kanyenda who turns out for South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Jomo Cosmos said:
“The trip has come just at the right time. I am in shape and doing very well, my mind is focussed on impressing the top French club and I have no reason to doubt that I will make it.”
However, the PSL current top scorer quickly pointed out that it will not be all that easy to make an impression at a team currently topping the French elite league.
“I have been closely following the French league from the time I first heard about the trip about four months ago...I have been watching French league video tapes and I should admit that it will be tough but at the same time it will also be a challenge that I will have to conquer.
“They have world class strikers at Marseille and they are currently running the show, obviously it cannot be all that easy to breakthrough at such an ambitious team but my biggest inspiration is Benjamin Mwaruwaru who is starring for AJ Auxerre, he was my striking partner at Cosmos and he has been a very big encouragement,” he said.
Kanyenda also said Cosmos boss and coach Jomo Sono, his manager Ben Chiwaya and veteran midfielder Ernest Chirwali who played in the top French league have also buoyed him up ahead of the challenge.
“I had a meeting with Jomo this morning and he advised me not to panic but relax when I get there. He said in France they play a physical and fast passing game and he has all the belief that I can make it,” said Kanyenda.
Should he make it, Kanyenda will have to compete with such big names like Ivory Coast’s top man Ibrahim Bakayoko who is the current top netbuster for Marseille and last season’s French flagship league top scorer Djibril Cisse who is also on Liverpool and Arsenal’s menu.
Kanyenda is expected to leave at 10PM, arriving in Paris at about 8AM on Sunday where he will connect to Marseille. He is scheduled start his trials on Monday until January 9. He is expected to fly back to Johannesburg the following day.
Chiwaya said in a separate interview that should he make it, it will be a timely new year gist for Malawians.
“The good thing is that he is very optimistic and if you have that drive then everything else works out so easily,” said Chiwaya |
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