By Advent Shoko
HARARE – Liverpool teenage midfielder Treymaurice Nyoni’s family has expressed disappointment over what they describe as “fake articles” falsely claiming that the highly-rated youngster said he was not Zimbabwean, according to former Warriors midfielder Alois Bunjira.
Bunjira said he recently met Nyoni’s maternal grandmother at St Clare Roman Catholic Church in Harare, where they discussed the Liverpool starlet’s international future and the impact of misleading reports on the family.
The former Zimbabwe international said the family insisted Nyoni had never denied his Zimbabwean roots and was deeply hurt by stories attributed to him, as well as the abuse that followed on social media.
“On Sunday I met Trey Nyoni’s maternal grandmother at the St Clare Roman Catholic Church. I had a great discussion with her regarding Trey,” Bunjira said.
“What I gathered from the discussion is that the family was much disappointed by the fake articles attributed to Trey saying he was not Zimbabwean. The grandmother stressed that Trey never said those things and he was very much hurt reading that and some insults hurled towards him.”
According to Bunjira, Nyoni’s grandmother emphasised that the Liverpool youngster comes from a fully Zimbabwean family despite being born in England and holding British citizenship.
“Trey Nyoni is very much proud to be Zimbabwean, with a full Zimbabwean heritage. Both sets of maternal and paternal grandparents are full Zimbabweans. Both parents are full Zimbabweans, with one coming from Mbare and the other from Bulawayo. There is no way he cannot be Zimbabwean, although he holds British citizenship,” he said.
International future still open
The 19-year-old remains eligible to represent both England and Zimbabwe at senior international level.
Although he has represented England at youth level, Nyoni has not publicly committed his senior international future to either country.
Bunjira urged Zimbabweans to give the midfielder space as he navigates one of the biggest decisions of his career.
“Trey is currently an England youth international but deserves space to clear his head as he enters the most crucial time of his career with Liverpool before he can commit to full international football with either England or Zimbabwe.”
“At the end of the day, it is his choice. If he does choose to represent England, we as Zimbabweans should respect that choice and continue supporting mwana wevhu as a footballer. If he chooses Zimbabwe, we shall rejoice.”
He also appealed to people to stop spreading false information about the player.
“Those who write fake negative articles about Trey Nyoni should stop. It is so hurtful to the family.”
Bunjira hopes Nyoni chooses Zimbabwe
Bunjira revealed that he personally shared with Nyoni’s grandmother why he believes representing Zimbabwe would be special for the youngster.
“I explained to the grandmother all the advantages of choosing Zimbabwe and expressed my wish for Trey to play for Zimbabwe.”
“Playing for England has its own advantages, but it also has its downside. I believe the advantages of playing for Zimbabwe far outweigh those of playing for England, emotions included.”
He added that he believes Nyoni would become a national hero if he chooses the Warriors.
“I have a deep feeling that Trey will choose to play for Zimbabwe soon. It is just natural. He will be a hero here in Zimbabwe.”
How the speculation started
The comments come months after the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) was unable to secure an early commitment from Nyoni.
Following that, unverified reports circulated online claiming the Liverpool midfielder was not Zimbabwean, with some even falsely attributing statements to the teenager saying he did not identify as Zimbabwean.
However, Nyoni has never publicly stated that he is not Zimbabwean.
Born in England to Zimbabwean parents, he remains eligible to represent either England or Zimbabwe under FIFA regulations.
ZIFA continues engagement
Nyoni is regarded as one of the brightest young talents with Zimbabwean heritage.
Football analysts have repeatedly urged ZIFA to continue engaging the Liverpool midfielder while also improving the overall environment around the national team.
Concerns over player welfare, poor preparation, administrative instability and frequent coaching changes have often been cited as factors that could discourage dual-national players from choosing Zimbabwe when they have other international options.
Under the leadership of Nqobile Magwizi, ZIFA has intensified its efforts to identify and engage Zimbabwean players based abroad while pledging to improve governance, professionalism and player welfare.
The association has already convinced several England-born players, including Jordan Zemura, Tawanda Chirewa, Tawanda Maswanhise and Andy Rinomhota, to represent the Warriors.
Whether Nyoni eventually joins that growing list remains uncertain, but one thing appears clear from Bunjira’s account: his family wants misinformation about his identity to end, leaving the Liverpool youngster to make his international decision without unnecessary pressure.
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