Costa takes Czech Republic by storm

By Michael Madyira

On-fire Zimbabwe international and Sparta Prague defender Costa Nhamoinesu could close the year on a high note following nomination for the Czech Gambrinus Liga November Player of the Month award.

The 27-year-old left-back is part of a three-man nomination for the last accolade of the year whose winner would be announced on Tuesday. His scintillating form has also seen him forcing his way into the league’s 2013 Team of the Year.

With 16 rounds of matches having gone in the Gambrinus Liga, Nhamoinesu has cemented his worth by featuring in the league’s Team of the Week a staggering eight times.

His latest exploits could now launch him into national consciousness as the only Zimbabwean currently playing for a big European club.

For the November Player of the Month, he has been posed against the FC Viktoria Plzen striking pair of Stanislav Tecl and Milan Petrzela and the winner is voted for by fans.

With leaders Sparta locked in a title battle with this season’s Uefa Champions League Group D finalists Viktoria Plzen, the nomination has been touted as a battle outside the pitch between the two giants.

He has grabbed three crucial goals in 16 starts this season including sealing victory against Teplice and another winning strike against Mlada Boleslav in a match in which Sparta were celebrating their 120th anniversary.

Since his move to Sparta from Polish side Zaglebie Lubin in June, Nhamoinesu has featured in every minute of the Czech giants.

“Having featured in all games for Sparta this year including Cup games shows that my physical condition is good. Personally I feel well but there is still room for improvement,” said Nhamoinesu.

“I am not much of a goal scorer but having scored three goals is something positive in my game. The sky is the limit, all I need is to maintain focus and discipline,” he said.

Zimbabwe have often failed to qualify for major tournaments with players showing apparent inferiority complex while facing African stars who play for top European clubs.

“We have a lot of talent in Zimbabwe but the upcoming players are only looking as far as South Africa. It is a pity because they can make it here. They just need the right frame of mind. It is very sad. National teams here in Europe call players from the best leagues and then the best playing locally.”

His growing list of admirers now include former Czech Republic defender and Sparta legend Jiri Novotny.

“He belongs to the best left defenders in the league,” remarked Novotny.

Five of his Sparta teammates played for the Czech national team recently, including captain David Lafata.

For someone playing week in week out for his club, it could appear unusual that he only has eight Warriors caps after having played seven times for the Under-23s and six matches for the Under-20 side.

With his last Warriors call-up coming from Norman Mapeza two years ago for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mali which he did not turn up for due to injury, Nhamoinesu last featured for the national team in a friendly international against Mozambique in 2007. Zimbabwe Standard