Story by Mthokozisi Dube
FORMER England and Arsenal player Sol Campbell says he is ready to contribute to the development of Zimbabwean football.
Campbell is in the country accompanying his daughter Isabella who is competing in the International Tennis Federation, J30 tournament in Bulawayo.
The gritty centre back made 255 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur before moving to Arsenal where he made close to 150 appearances, winning the English Premier League twice, three FA Cups and finishing as runners up in the UEFA Champions League in 2006 before moving to Portsmouth where he also won another FA cup and later played alongside former Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari.
Campbell, who also had a distinguished career for England, making over 70 appearances is now into grassroot football development and has expressed keen interest to partner with Zimbabwe in junior development.
“Zim players are good I have a good relationship with Benjani back in our days at Portsmouth. He had an opportunity to make a huge move to Manchester city but we remain close friends. I would want to partner with the local association through him since I am into grassroot football development,” he said.
“I came all the way from London for my daughter to play in the J30 tournament. It’s a good environment, we are far from home but we are happy .The people are hospitable here. I am trying to balance my daughter’s schedule of playing tennis as well as school .It is my first time to be here but will remain in Bulawayo for the tournament,” he noted.
Isabella Campbell received a 6-0,6-0 hiding from South Africa’s highly rated seed Milan Swanepoel and will now shift attention to the upcoming doubles.
