Image: Milan Ninovic
When looking at the setup of the Springvale White Eagles squad, many would see the likes of one-time Bosnian international Nebojsa Pejic and reigning NPL2 rising star Damir Stoilovic as some of the key names on the pitch.
Yet another new hero is emerging on the pitch: Tapiwanashe Munyanyiwa.
The 19-year-old forward has shown an array of talents alongside a keen eye for goal so far, netting twice in as many games against formidable opponents in Goulburn Valley Suns and Dandenong Thunder.
The former Bentleigh Greens youth is experiencing a breakout campaign under Vlado Tortevski at his new club after moving across from Sunshine this year, where he first had a taste of senior NPL2 action last season at George Cross.
Now Munyanyiwa, known affectionately as ‘Tapsy’, forms a youthful White Eagles outfit that looks to build on a promising 2016 campaign as the club’s easy-beat tag from the early years of the NPL era becomes dead and buried.
“Working hard in pre-season, boys putting in the work, it’s not bad to start off with two goals in two games – it’s very good,” he said.
“In pre-season the coach said he wants to build a young squad, I’ve played with a lot of the boys like Damir [Stoilovic] and Milan [Jovanovic], the young guys are looking good and sharp out there.
Munyanyiwa lauds the experienced Tortevski, a successful former VPL winner that last won the SL1 title with Altona Magic in 2016, for getting the most out of a fairly inexperienced squad.
“He’s very old-school, a lot of running but it is what it is. He’s a very good coach, he’s very encouraging, he tells you what you need to know, what you need to work on, what you need to improve on.”
Having tasted success in Kevin Taylor’s U20s championship-winning squad in 2015, Munyanyiwa headed to Sunshine George Cross last year to gain senior experience.
Five games under Tony Ciantar saw the forward get a taste of first-team NPL football, which he credits as giving him a taste of what’s needed to succeed in NPL football.
“Squizzy [Taylor] is a very good coach and a very good friend of mine, we speak off the pitch as well. It was very good part of being in a championship-winning team. We put in a lot of hard work and deserved the title at the end of the year, they were a great bunch of boys.
“I got a few games under Tony [Ciantar], he’s also a very good coach. I didn’t play as well as I liked but it was a good experience that gave me a good stepping stone to come into this setup and know what to expect in senior football, and to be sharper on the ball and take your chances.
Munyanyiwa’s drive and motivation to push for a first-team place at Springvale is evident, with the teen emerging as a player to keep track of their progress in 2017.
And while the White Eagles may not be flying under the radar anymore, the forward may just be one of the sparks for the Keysborough-based club to keep some of the other star-studded clubs on their toes throughout this season.
“Personally my goal is to play as much senior football and score as many goals I can. Two in two, some would say I’m on track with my personal goals.
“As a team, [we want to] put in as much work in training as we can, give 100% in games and win as many games as we can.”