In a testament to their impressive recruitment staff, the Manly Sea Eagles are set to unleash a 22 year old Zimbabwe born winger in their trial game against the Melbourne Storm. A former war refugee, Gideon Mzembe is a name that NRL fans are going to be hearing a lot more about.
Lightning fast, the Broncos did their best to keep hold of the young gun but Manly eventually got their man and will seek to replace the speed lost with Chris Hicks after his departure to the UK Super League.
You won’t mistake Gideon Mzembe when you see him, featuring one red boot and one blue boot the slender winger stands out in a crowd. I suppose one has to be fast when he is dodging bullets as a youngster and Mzembe has left behind a life of death and destruction and now gets his chance to shine in front of Manly boss Des Hasler.
Born in Zimbabwe of Malawian parents, Mzembe only had a tiny taste of NRL football with the Brisbane Broncos over the past three seasons. He was 18th man in several matches last season including the Broncos clash with Manly at Brookvale Oval during State of Origin time. Mzembe went to primary school in Brisbane at Kalangur before attending secondary school at Ipswich Grammar where he played rugby union. Younger brother Pacharo has recently graduated from Nida and is a budding actor of great promise.
Mzembe has teamed up with exciting winger Michael Bani at the Sea Eagles and can relate to Bani’s rise in the NRL last season.
“I’m grateful to Manly for the opportunity and I’m pleased to be thrown in the deep end against a side like Melbourne – I can’t wait for kick off,” Mzembe said.
Mzembe will travel with the Sea Eagles squad to Ettalong before the game where the team will rest up before the 7:30pm trial against the Storm.
Gideon Mzembe, well hes one amazingg guy.