Tinashe Mtshiya: Balancing Books and Boots in the ...

Tinashe Mtshiya: Balancing Books and Boots in the Heart of Hwange

Witness Runodada- Zim Now Reporter

In a town known more for coal than footballers, 21-year-old Tinashe Mtshiya is quietly carving out a unique path—one that bridges the demands of higher education and the pursuit of sporting excellence.

Born in 2003 in Hwange, Mtshiya’s early life was shaped by migration. “We moved to South Africa in 2007 due to the economic crisis back home,” he recalls.

It was there that he began his schooling, before his family decided to return to Zimbabwe in 2016, placing their faith in the strength of the local education system.

Mtshiya completed his primary education at Nechibondo Primary in Hwange and started his secondary education at Chilisa Secondary School in 2017. He later transferred to Hwange High School in 2021.

A firm believer in the power of education, he is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Development Planning and Management at Midlands State University, with graduation expected in 2027.

Yet Mtshiya’s journey extends beyond the classroom. He is a promising footballer whose passion for the game ignited when he joined the U14 squad at Baobab Rovers in 2015. By 2017, at just 14 years old, he had broken into the senior team in Division 2, where he made an early mark by scoring four goals and providing seven assists in 15 matches.

His progress on the pitch has been steady and impressive. In 2018, he recorded seven goals and five assists. He matched his goal tally in 2021, while in 2022 he enjoyed his most productive season yet with 10 goals and nine assists. In 2023, he followed up with eight goals and five assists, cementing his reputation as a reliable attacking threat.

In 2024, Mtshiya signed with ZPC Hwange—recently renamed Megawatt FC—who compete in the Southern Region Division 1 League. Although he has yet to make his professional debut due to university commitments, his focus remains clear. “I’ve always believed in balancing school and sport,” he says. “Football refreshes my mind from academic stress and life’s challenges. It keeps me sharp.”

While Mtshiya’s family provided strong support, ensuring he had the gear and resources he needed to succeed, his journey hasn’t been without setbacks. One particularly painful moment came in December 2022, when he was shortlisted for final football scholarship trials hosted by former professional player Mkhokheli Dube. “We were told we’d be contacted in January 2023 for the final phase. That call never came,” he says, the disappointment still palpable. “It shook my confidence.”

Nevertheless, he pressed on. He tried out for Highlanders FC—a lifelong dream—but was turned away. Undeterred, he approached ZPC Hwange, where he eventually earned a place. “If I could play in the Premier Soccer League one day, it would be for Highlanders FC,” he says with a gleam in his eyes. “It’s every footballer’s dream to play at a packed Barbourfields Stadium. The atmosphere there is unmatched.”

Mtshiya draws inspiration from Zimbabwean football legend Knowledge Musona. “He’s proof of what hard work and belief can achieve,” he says.

For Mtshiya, football is more than a game—it is a discipline. “Footballers are intelligent. We make quick decisions, read complex plays, and adapt under pressure. It’s not just about kicking a ball; it’s a mental game too.”