Charlton Athletic star Pritchard report for Warriors camp

CHARLTON Athletic midfielder Bradley Pritchard, who was the first player to report for Warriors camp on Wednesday night, said he was humbled by the call as he thought he was not known here. The attacking midfielder is in camp with the national team as they begin their preparations for the World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers early next month.

The Warriors would also be playing in the high-profile Benjani Mwaruwari testimonial match tomorrow.

Yesterday Pritchard watched his Warriors coach Rahman Gumbo's FC Platinum taking on CAPS United at National Sports Stadium.

The English Championship midfielder said he wouldn't have wished for a better time to begin his Warriors' journey.

"I feel proud and humbled. I didn't think anyone knew me back home. It is an overwhelming feeling and the main thing is I want to play well as they have shown faith in me.

"It is the first time for a lot of Zimbabweans to see me play and I want to play well. I hope I will have a good game," said Pritchard.

The 26-year-old, who plays central midfield, said he is aware of the Warriors' hectic programme.

He believes the team just needs to win their first game against Guinea on June 3 at home and keep the momentum in the following matches against Mozambique and the crucial Africa Cup of Nations second leg match against Burundi.

"The first important thing is to start the ball rolling and play well and use the momentum to carry us through.

"I was doing a lot of research on the Warriors and I know there are players like Khama (Billiart), Knowledge (Musona) and Vusa Nyoni. And I am looking forward to knowing them better," said Pritchard.

The athlete is also an academic and was a late starter to his football career as his parents wanted him to focus on his academic qualifications and is a holder of a Masters Degree in Sports Science, Performance Analysis.

He said he never had doubts about playing for Zimbabwe despite having his own fears.

"I had my fears and they were only personal. In terms of playing for Zimbabwe, I don't have any worries as I believe the nation wants a fresh start.

"Everyone want things to change for the better and I believe the team will play together and achieve that," said Pritchard.

The midfielder also paid tribute to former Zimbabwe captain Benjani for raising the country's flag high in England.

"Benjani had a fantastic career and for someone to play in English league, which I believe is world best league, play at Portsmouth and go to Manchester City it shows people believe in you.

"And on Saturday it would be a nice showcase.

"I am really looking forward to the testimonial match and also playing against the guys who have made it in England and European leagues is something else," said Pritchard.

The midfielder, who was born in Harare December 19, 1985  and went to Hartman House before leaving for United Kingdom in 1995 as his father Columbus, who is brother to former Tonardos' player Cosmos, for further studies.

The player has always been coming back home during the holidays as his grand parents stay in Gweru and is the first born in a family of two with a young sister.

Pritchard, began his English career at Conference North side Nuneaton Borough in 2006, and left the club when it was liquidated at the end of 2007/2008.

Pritchard joined local rivals to Nuneaton, Tamworth, for whom he was to score four goals from his midifield position between 2008 and 2010.

For the 2010/2011 season, the Zimbabwean midfielder played for yet another Conference side Hayes & Yeading United, making 46 appearances in one season and finding the net 14 times, a good return for a midfielder. It was the talent he showcased at Hayes& Yeading United that saw Charlton coming to knock on his door for a signature in May 2011.