Bill Antonio dreaming of brighter days after debut delight 

Zimbabwean hotshot Bill Antonio is dreaming of brighter days after scoring on his debut for KV Mechelen Under 21s.

Antonio’s goal was enough to seal a win for the Belgian outfit as they beat Lierse U21 on Monday.

And the 20-year-old Antonio is on cloud nine after a delightful start to life at the Antwerp-based club.

“It’s exciting. I’m hoping and praying for the best, but overall, I like the competing here, and the environment has been welcoming for me,” Antonio told FARPost.

Antonio joined the Belgian outfit last month on a two-year contract after impressing during a brief trial stint.

DELAYED DEBUT

However, his debut was delayed for a month as he was yet to secure a work permit.

For now, the Prince Edward product will be playing in KV Mechelen’s junior ranks, a decision that was made to help him acclimate to the club’s system before elevation to the senior team.

Hopes are high that Antonio will succeed, especially since he made the cut to Europe straight from the Zimbabwean Premier Soccer League, something that had become a rarity in recent times.

Tino Kadewere and Marvellous Nakamba are some of the few players that were plucked from the Zimbabwean ranks directly to Europe.

He will hope to follow in the footsteps of the illustrious former Zimbabwe skipper Knowledge Musona who rose to greater heights during his stay in Belgium, where he played in the top-flight league for KV Ostende and K.A.S Eupen.

That Antonio opened his goal account in Belgium is certainly music to the ears of Zimbabwean football lovers who are eager to see how the former Dynamos sensation will fare overseas.

The Harare-born winger is expected to be a key part of the national team when the country is re-admitted into international football.

Until this point, Antonio has been capped once, having featured in a 2022 World Cup qualifier played against South Africa last year.

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