Growing up in the high-density suburb of Dzivaresekwa 2, Ryan Josiah and his friends would play with a plastic ball on the dusty streets.
His love for football began when he was only five and it was in these dusty streets that the dream to one day play at Spanish football giants Real Madrid's home ground Santiago Bernabeu was birthed.
The 20-year-old footballer's skills were honed at DZ Academy when he was just 12.
Thanks to Watson Marowa, affectionately known as Coach Robinho in football circles, Josiah's talent was transformed into a young prospect.
"I was only five years old when I fell in love with football. My friends and I would meet to play street football with a plastic ball. I later decided to join DZ Academy at 12. Due to my small frame, I started off playing in the Under-11 age group. After realising the potential I had, Coach Robinho promoted me to the Under-12 squad," Josiah recalled in an exclusive interview with this publication.
Sadly, Josiah's mother did not believe in his talent and made the decision to send him to a boarding school for his secondary education, hoping to distract him from his football dreams and so that he could focus on academics.
However, his father supported and firmly believed in his son's dream.
"My mother did not believe in my football talent. She decided to send me to a boarding school, Allan Wilson Technical Boys School, so I could focus on my education instead of football. But my father believed in me. Even though my mother did not support my football dreams, I did not give up. I made the senior team at Alfred Beit Primary School when I was in grade 4.
- Josiah's Big Bernabeu dream
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"Many students came to watch us play and they would shout my nickname 'One Jodza' whenever I got the ball," he said.
During his time at Alfred Beit Primary School, Josiah was a regular in the school's senior team at Grade 4. Students would congest the soccer field whenever the school team was in action , mainly to watch electrifying performances that always left the crowd clamouring for more.
Within two years of joining DZ Academy, Josiah helped his team win the under-14 Junior League and Kadewere tournament trophies.
Such achievements boosted his confidence and drive towards his aspired dream of stepping onto the Santiago Bernabéu turf, home of Real Madrid.
"I was part of the DZ Academy squad which won the under-14 junior league and Kadewere tournament. It is something which was special, winning trophies given my dream of playing in Santiago Bernabeu. The following year I was crowned player of the tournament during the Under-15 Chamisa tourney," the right-footed versatile player revealed .
After completing primary school education, Josiah in 2018 enrolled at Allan Wilson Boys School, where he quickly made a name for himself and became a regular starter in all age groups.
The following year, Josiah was one of the standout performers for his school as they advanced to the provincial stage of the Under-15 Coca-Cola tournament.
However, their dream was cut short when they were eliminated in the group stage by rivals Churchill Boys and eventual winners Prince Edward.
Josiah is a versatile player who has played in various positions, including right-back, defensive midfielder, attacking midfielder, and second striker.
He once had the opportunity to rub shoulders with Belgium-based Zimbabwe international, Bill Antonio at DZ Academy.
Josiah helped the DZ Academy win the Under-18 Ten Toes Tournament, where he was crowned the tournament's top scorer, earning two additional accolades.
Locally, Josiah is inspired by the Ngezi Platinum Stars central midfielder, Leslie Kashitigu.
He signed his first professional contract with Kadoma-based then Division One side, CUMA Academy during mid-season transfer window in 2022, a club owned by former Warriors star, Cuthbert Malajila.
His performance took a significant drop as he battled to fit into the professional football world and managed just two assists.
"After completing my O Levels, I joined CUMA Academy in 2022 during the mid-season transfer window to gain more experience and exposure. Things did not work according to my plan, I failed to score and managed only two assists," the pint-sized youthful player revealed.
The budding football star's career at CUMA Academy was short-lived after they were relegated from Division One, resulting in Josiah snubbing the club in favor of Central Region Division One side, Zvishavane-based FC Platinum Under-19, where he signed a one-year contract.
Despite playing as a second striker or box-to-box midfielder, Josiah again struggled to make significant contributions, failing to register a goal or assist during his time at the club.
Sadly, Josiah's stay at the club was cut short due to financial struggles and a broken jaw injury that kept him sidelined for three months, forcing him to look for a club in Harare.
After joining High Range FC at the beginning of this year, the move has proved to be a career reviver for Josiah after he scored 16 goals and eight assists on his debut season for the Gwanzura Stadium-based team.
As it stands, they are seated in second position after recording a staggering 27 wins, six draws, and nine losses in 38 games while he is the top goal scorer for High Range FC and second in the league.
Josiah aspires to break into the Castle Lager Premier Soccer next season and prove to the world that he has what it takes to play at Santiago Bernabeu one day.
