Bill Antonio
| Bill Antonio | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Bill Leeroy Antonio September 3, 2002 |
| Employer | Dynamos Football Club |
| Known for | Being a footballer |
| Parent(s) |
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Bill Antonio is a Zimbabwean footballer who plays as a forward for Dynamos Football Club in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League. Antonio became part of the Dynamos senior squad whilst he was still an Upper Six student at Prince Edward High School.
Background
Bill Antonio grew up in Dzivarasekwa.[1]
Education
He did his primary education at Gillingham Primary where he started playing first-team football when he was in Grade Five. Antonio joined Dzivarasekwa Football Academy when he was in Grade Six before Prince Edward came calling for his services when he finished Grade Seven. He also played for Diamond Eagles Academy.
Bill Antonio captained the Under-14 side before being drafted into the senior team three years later, where he was also named skipper. While at Prince Edward, Antonio was also named school athletics team captain. For his Advance Level studies at Prince Edward, Antonio did Literature in English, History and Family and Religious Studies.[1][2]
Career
He won the Junior League with Dzivarasekwa Academy and was the top goal scorer. Antonio was part of the Prince Edward team that won the Harare Schools Championship in 2017 and 2018.
Bill Antonio featured for Zimbabwe's Under 20 team, the Young Warriors at the COSAFA U20 Youth Championship
Following his performances at that tournament, he was signed by Dynamos Football Club.[1][2]
In November 2021, Antonio was incorporated into the Zimbabwe senior men's football squad that played the World Cup qualifiers away to South Africa and at home versus Ethiopia replacing Macauley Bonne.
Antonio spent a month undergoing trials at Belgium top flight league club KV Mechelen before returning to Dynamos.
He was reportedly offered a five-year contract by the club and was scheduled to fly to Antwerp on Thursday, 01 September 2022.[3]
Antonio returned to Belgium in early September 2022 to undergo a medical and then sign a long-term deal at KV Mechelen after he passed a three-week audition.[4]
He made his debut in the Belgian Pro League on 05 November 2023 in a match against Standard Liege that ended 1-1. Antonio was introduced in the 84th and went on to play a total of 14 minutes, including the added time.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Langton Nyakwenda, Can Antonio live to his Bill-ing?, The Sunday Mail, Published: October 24, 2021, Retrieved: November 8, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Antonio playing with the big boys, Dynamos FC, Published: May 13, 2021, Retrieved: November 8, 2021
- ↑ Dynamos star Antonio secures Belgium deal, NewsDay, Published: 01 September 2022, Retrieved 1 September 2022
- ↑ Tadious Manyepo, It’s a deal for Bill, The Herald, Published: 02 September 2022, Retrieved: 06 November 2023
- ↑ Bill Antonio finally makes his senior debut in the Belgian Pro League, Soccer24, Published: 05 November 2023, Retrieved: 06 November 2023
