BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
FORGOTTEN Warriors goalkeeper Tatenda Mkuruva has been earning rave reviews in the USA after quietly completing a move to Michigan Stars from Zambian top-flight side Buildcon in March.
The 23-year-old former Dynamos player, who was the Zimbabwe Warriors’ first-choice goalkeeper at the 2017 Afcon finals in Gabon, was conspicuous by his absence from Buildcon’s squad for the Zambia Super League, which kicked off two weeks ago, as well, as the ongoing CAF Confederation Cup.The Sports Hub can, however, reveal that Mkuruva is now on the books of Michigan Stars, who compete in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL)’s Midwest Division–Great Lakes Conference.The NPSL is the fourth tier of competition in the United States soccer pyramid, behind Major League Soccer (MLS), the USL Championship (USLC) and the USL League One (USL1).You can get more infor about Usl and also more interesting facts on Liverpool FC info .Visit and stay on top of new information .
Mkuruva, who has been keeping a low profile since his move to Zambia last year, following an unsuccessful stint at South African side Cape Town City, refused to comment on his recent move to the US when contacted by The Sports Hub.
The former Prince Edward pupil, however, looks to have settled well as his new club, which despite still being in the low rungs of US Soccer after its recent revival, has strong ambitions of becoming one of the top teams in the country.
Mkuruva was credited with the Detroit-based club’s fifth place finish in the NPSL eight-team Great Lakes Conference Division, which earned them a spot in the rebranded NPSL Members Cup.
“The club finished fifth in the NPSL eight-team Great Lakes Conference Division, posting wins over Grand Rapids FC, Indiana FC and Toledo Villa. The Stars were never blown out in any of their six losses as their minus-3 goal differential indicates. Part of the credit goes for that goes to the club’s Zimbabwe international goalkeeper Tatenda Mkuruva, who previously played for Cape Town FC in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League,” The Detroit News reported recently.
Just five months after his move from Zambia to the US, Mkuruva has since taken over the captaincy duties at Michigan Stars due to his impressive performances, which have been credited for the team’s success.
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Mkuruva’s new club Michigan Stars is owned by American businessman George Juncaj, who is also the head coach of the team.
Juncaj, who owns a number of companies in the Detroit Metropolitan Area, sees the team’s recent inclusion in the Members Cup as a launchpad to bigger things, namely a Detroit entry into US soccer’s pro third tier with a USL League One franchise.
Montenegro-born Juncaj is widely respected in US soccer circles, particularly in Detroit. In 2010 he coached amateur side Detroit United to US Open Cup qualification. The Michigan Premier Soccer League side advanced to the first round proper, where it lost to the USL pro’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
Recently, Juncaj has been involved with son Steven Juncaj’s development. The midfielder played at the U19 level with Switzerland’s Grasshopper Club Zürich and considered an offer with Germany’s Stuttgart, which would have meant playing with the reserve side.
Steven ,however, returned stateside instead to join Michigan Stars where he is one of the top players in the side together with former Warriors first-choice goalkeeper Mkuruva. The midfielder was in the NPSL XI Midwest Great Lakes Conference selection this season.
Juncaj estimates he’s poured $250 000 into the club so far, which includes getting furnished apartments and vehicles for players.
