By Varaidzo Muzonzini
Gweru born soccer striker Washington Navaya has joined premier league champions Highlanders from the Kwekwe based division one club, ZPC Munyati replacing Mkhokheli Dube who joined Talen Vision club.
Navaya also known as ‘Navigator’ (22), now wears jersey number 36 at the Bulawayo soccer giants team, will forever be remembered as one of the few Gweru born footballers to play for top-flight clubs.
Born and bred in Mtapa suburb in Gweru, Washington went to St Michael’s Primary School and did his Ordinary level at Nashville High School and his advanced level at Mambo High School.
“I started playing soccer when I was still a little boy in the streets of Mtapa and at Gaffa grounds, in primary school, we would go for Catholic games and I became so attached to this game it became my first love,” said Navaya
Navaya played for many Zimbabwean local teams including Telone (WiFi Boys) and ZPC Munyati.
“I always dreamt of playing for Bosso, just like my brother the late Macreza and when I got signed by the club, it was a dream come true. When I played my first match for Highlanders, on 23 May 2021 during the Chibuku Super Cup opening round fixtures, I was nervous but by God’s grace, I was able to score 42 minutes into the game putting our team in second place, tying with Group B leaders Chicken Inn.
” The secret to winning is teamwork and training very hard even when there is no match it is very important to train to keep the body in shape and fit.
Every score is because of good coordination, communication, trusting your teammates because they are family and no man can win a match alone”, he said.
Navaya has the potential of being a deadly striker as he is showing much promise, referred to as the ‘New boy’. He joined a big institution coming from out of town and raising the flag of Gweru high.
“Wherever I go, I always carry Gweru on my back, that’s my home. I just want to thank my family and friends for supporting and believing in me. I leave everything in God’s hands. I hope one day I will play in an English football league and raise the Zimbabwean flag high maybe one day I will become the Pele of Zimbabwe,” said Navaya.
The signing of Washington Navaya after a long search for a striker is expected to add teeth to Bosso’s front line.
