BY CLOUD FUSIRE SENIOR SPORTS WRITER
20-YEAR-OLD Zimbabwean forward Cobert Chimedza jr has sealed a switch to Portuguese lower division side Marinhense from Primeira Liga outfit Gil Vicente.
Chimedza, who joined Gil Vicente on a permanent contract in April, had been playing for the Primeira Liga club’s U23 side. But as he continues to build towards first team contention, the young winger has moved to Marinhense on a one-year loan deal where he will get to play in the senior team this season.
The youngster is excited about the move, which he described as a crucial step as he builds up towards a future as a top level professional.
“This is a good move for me because I will be able to get some game time at senior level and I believe that come next season, I will be in a position to challenge for a place in the senior side at Gil Vicente,” said Chimedza, who joins Botswana international goalkeeper Jovan Nikolic at Marinhense.
“I have been given a great welcome here (at Marinhense) and I think in the end things have worked out well because the delay in the processing of my international clearance papers meant I could not be registered for this season at Gil Vicente and my worst fear was that I may have to sit out the first half of the season.
I’m glad that I now get to play at a competitive level that will prepare me for the step up to the Primeira Liga because I intend to return to Gil Vicente and stake a claim for a place in the team.” Having made a winning start to their Campeonato de Portugal campaign last week, defeating Peniche one-nil, Marinhense took on Samora Correia in their second match of the campaign last night.