Tendayi Darikwa
| Tendayi Darikwa | |
|---|---|
 Tendayi Darikwa | |
| Born | Tendayi Darikwa December 13, 1991 Nottingham, UK |
| Residence | United Kingdom |
| Nationality | Zimbabwean |
| Citizenship | United Kingdom |
| Occupation | Footballer |
| Employer | Wigan Athletic Football Club |
Tendayi Darikwa is a Zimbabwean international footballer, born and based in the United Kingdom, who plays for Wigan Athletic Football Club. He signed for Wigan Athletic from Nottingham Forest Football Club in January 2021 on a short-term contract until end of 2020/21 season
Background
Darikwa was born on the 13 of December in 1991 in Nottingham.[1]
Career
Darikwa joined Chesterfield on a scholarship when he was 16 after having left school. He signed his first professional deal in 2010 for Barrow whilst he was on a loan. In 2013, he signed for a new 3 year deal with Chesterfield.[2]
Chesterfield, 2010 - 2015
Darikwa played as a midfielder for a UK based club called Chesterfield Football Club He made his debut for Chesterfield on 27 November 2010 in the FA Cup, in a 3–1 defeat by Burton Albion in the 55th minute replacing Deane Smalley.[9]
Due to good league performances early in 2012–13 season, after the appointment of new manager Paul Cook in late October 2012, Darikwa signed a one-year contract extension until 2015,[3]and he received recognition by winning the Football League Young Player of the Month for December 2012. [4] He also did a spell on loan at Barrow in 2010.
In October 2013, Darikwa was linked with a move to Premier League club Manchester United, and while "flattered in the interest", he felt not ready to play at that level. He moved from right winger to a right back, and in May, he won four awards at the Chesterfield end of seson awards, including Player of the Year Award, and Players' Player of the Season Award. [5]
Burnley
Tendayi Darikwe was signed for Burnley Football Club for three years, with a further year’s option in the club’s favour, in July 2015. [6]
In a 2:1 loss against Reading, Darikwa scored his sides only goal, and his first goal for Burnley. [7]
Nottingham Forest
In 2017, this club signed Tendayi Darikwa for a four year deal, as a versatile player, who would fit anywhere along the right-hand side. [8] He scored his first goal against Chelsea on 20 September 2017.[9] He left the club in January 2021 to join Wigan Athletic FC on a short-term contract until end of 2020/21 season.
Wigan Athletic
Darikwa joined Wigan Athletic on 11 January 2021 on a short-term contract from Sky Bet Championship side Nottingham Forest. In June 2021, Tendayi Darikwa signed a two-year contract with Wigan Athletic.
He played a pivotal role in helping the Latics survive in League One in the 20/21 season.[10]
Darikwa left Wigan Athletic following their relegation from the Championship during the 2022/23 season, ending his two-and-a-half-year stay at the club.[11]
He arrived at the DW Stadium from Nottingham Forest in January 2021, helping them escape relegation from League One in his first season. He then captained the club to the third-tier title the following year.
Darikwa made 116 appearances during his time in Lancashire.
Apollon Limassol
In June 2023, Cypriot First Division club Apollon Limassol Football Club announced they had reached an agreement in principle with Darikwa until May 2025.[12]
Darikwa was expected to undergo a medical and for the deal to be confirmed.
Awards
- Darikwa was in December 2013 voted Football League Young Player of the Month
- In 2014 he was named Chesterfield player of the year
- He was also voted club Players’ Player of the Season for the 2015 season.
Teams Played For
- Chesterfield Football Club (2007)
- Nottingham Forest Football Club
- Notts County Football Club
- Barrow Football Club (2010).[2]
- Wigan Athletic
Success
Darikwa was in December 2013 voted Football League Young Player of the Month. Darikwa's performance caught the attention of top English Clubs such as Manchester United and at one point David Moyes was interested in signing the player.[13]
International Career
As of 12 November 2022, Darikwa had been capped 14 times for Zimbabwe. He made his debut for the Warriors in a friendly match against Lesotho on 8 November 2017. Zimbabwe lost 0-1 at Setsoto Stadium.[14]
Darikwa was part of the final 23-man Warriors squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt. The other members of the squad were Goalkeepers: George Chigova, Edmore Sibanda, Elvis Chipezeze, Defenders: Tendayi Darikwa, Jimmy Dzingai, Divine Lunga, Teenage Hadebe, Alec Mudimu, Ronald Pfumbidzai; Midfielders: Marshall Munetsi, Marvelous Nakamba, Danny Phiri, Ovidy Karuru, Kuda Mahachi, Talent Chawapihwa, Khama Billiat, Knowledge Musona, Tafadzwa Kutinyu, Thabani Kamusoko, and Strikers: Nyasha Mushekwi, Tino Kadewere, Evans Rusike, Knox Mutizwa.
Darikwa's last game for the Warriors was a 1-3 loss to Ghana in a World Cup 2022 Group G qualifier played at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on 9 October 2021.
References
- ↑ , TENDAYI DARIKWA,Transfer Market, retrieved:25 Jun 2015"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 P. Fletcher, Football League Friday: Talking about Tendayi Darikwa,BBC Sport, published:13 Jul 2013,retrieved:25 Jun 2015"
- ↑ , [1], Players out of contract offered new one year deals, Posted 11 May 2012, retrieved:19 July 2019"
- ↑ , [2], Football League Friday: Talking about Tendayi Darikwa, Posted 18 January 2013, retrieved:19 July 2019"
- ↑ , [3], Darikwa Stars at Player of the Year Awards, Posted 6 May 2015, retrieved:19 July 2019"
- ↑ , [4], Clarets Land Darikwa, Posted 30 July 2015, retrieved:19 July 2019"
- ↑ , [5], Reading scored twice in the opening nine minutes against Burnley to earn their fourth away win in a row and move third in the Championship., Posted 26 September 2015, retrieved:19 July 2019"
- ↑ , [6], Darikwa signs for Forest., Posted 26 July 2017, retrieved:19 July 2019"
- ↑ , [7], BBC Sport at Stamford Bridge., Posted 30 September 2017, retrieved:19 July 2019"
- ↑ Eddie Chikamhi, Tendayi Darikwa signs new contract at Wigan, The Herald, Published: July 1, 2021, Retrieved: December 13, 2021
- ↑ Tendayi Darikwa sends heartfelt message to Wigan Athletic supporters, Football League World, Published 23 May 2023, Retrieved: 24 May 2023
- ↑ Official: Tendayi Darikwa reach agreement to join new club, Soccer24, Published: 27 June 2023, Retrieved: 27 June 2023
- ↑ , Tendayi Darikwa: future Zimbabwe star?,New Zimbabwe, published:24 Jan 2013,retrieved:25 Jun 2015"
- ↑ Tendayi Darikwa, Published: No Date was given, retrieved: 12 November 2022
