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Showman Kwashi on the international stage

PROUD Tostao Kwashi spoke of his delight at being selected to play for Zimbabwe against Mozambique in the quarter-finals of the COSAFA Castle Cup in Windhoek, Namibia on Saturday 16th April, writes Stephen McCartney.

The 25-year-old, who has scored 21 goals for Southern League Division One East Dartford, spoke in an exclusive interview with www.kentishfootball.co.uk and the likeable, friendly, educated striker took time out to thank the many people for helping him to fulfill his dream.

The striker, who will be out of the UK for one week, said: "It's been my dream to play for my country and help them out.  Since I was a boy I wanted to play for my country.

Kwashi, who lives in Swanscombe, taking ten minutes to walk to the club's home games at Gravesend & Northfleet's Stonebridge Road, and is a favourite among the Dartford fans, has worked his way up through the ranks of Zimbabwean football.

"I've played for the under 17's, under 20's, under 23's and the full international team.  I've graduated through the ranks," he said.

Kwashi, whose parents live in Zimbabwe, thanked the many people that have been a major influence in his life.

"I thank God and my father and my mother.  They're the people that have driven me.  I believe in God and he's been leading me through all my career.

"And I also thank my team mates and everyone at Dartford Football Club."

William Hunt at Greenwich School of Management has helped Kwashi achieve his degree in BSE management and he will be graduating in July - another proud moment.

"William Hunt has helped my career as he has given me the opportunity to finish my degree and without him I wouldn't be the player and the man I am."

But it's everyone at Dartford Football Club that is very close to the player's heart.  And this was the real influence in him rejecting lucrative moves to Nationwide Conference South neighbours Welling United and Ryman Premier League side Tonbridge Angels as the striker generated transfer speculation back in February.

"The (Dartford) chairman Dave Skinner, all the directors in fact, the coaching staff, the backroom staff, the physio and my team mates.

"Because one man cannot make the team but a man makes a difference.  I cannot score 21 goals without my team mates.  Without my team mates I am nothing, without them I wouldn't get the service up front," he said.

Kwashi, and the rest of his team mates, travel to Mayesbrook Park tomorrow night, and Kwashi has the confidence he will score goal number 22 of the season against Barking & East Ham United in another Southern League Division One East fixture.

"21 goals - and 22 tomorrow night," he predicted.

"I go into every game thinking I am going to score.  It's like when you are going to war.  You go to war going to kill and not going to get killed.  You have to think like that every week that you are going to score."

Tostao's father, Steven Kwashi, clinched the best coach of the year award three times in Zimbabwe.

Tostao, however, starting playing for Caps United FC at the age of eight and made his first team debut at 17.  But he admitted he felt like Nigel Clough, playing for his father Brian at Nottingham Forest, and he had to prove to the fans that he deserved his place in the team, not just because he was the manager's son.

"My father was the best coach in Zimbabwe so when you grow up in a football family, it's like a family business and I am carrying the flag," said Tostao.

"I had to prove to the fans that I was in the team because I deserved to be.  The club I played for in Zimbabwe was the biggest team with 40-50,000 fans coming to watch us."

When he was a youngster, Tostao dreamt of playing for Liverpool or Real Madrid - but he is just as happy entertaining the fans at Dartford.

"I am happy at Dartford," he said.  "As a kid, playing in the park, I dreamt of playing for Real Madrid or Liverpool but I haven't given up yet!"

Kwashi, however, who declined February moves to Park View Road and Longmead Stadium to help keep the Darts in the Southern League.  The Darts beat Barton Rovers 4-0 at Stonebridge Road on Saturday to secure their status for another season.

"Welling and Tonbridge came in for me but I decided to stay with Dartford to make them safe.  They have looked after me and now we are safe I am the happiest dude in town as we cannot mathematically get relegated.  That was my main priority and I was proved right by staying as we have managed to survive."

So where is his future?  Unless Liverpool or Real Madrid scouts are at the Mozambique v Zimbabwe game on the 16th April, I am sure Kwashi will be wearing the black and white of Dartford next season as he is looking forward to playing for the club at their impressive new stadium at Princes Park in 2006.

"Everywhere you play it's a shop window, playing for Dartford or the Dog and Duck but you play every game like it's your last game," he said.

"I would like to thank the fans of Dartford Football Club.  They have been my biggest heroes this season.  Ever since I came to Dartford (September 2003) they love me to bits and I love them to bits as well - the feeling is mutual.

"Hopefully next season we will be fighting for promotion with the new ground, which is good, and a good platform to play my skills and abilities.

"I beleive I am a showman and like to entertain the crowds as well as win games.  I like to entertain them and win games for them.  I appreciate the fans paying £7 to watch us, after working during the week.

"Welling and Tonbridge offered to give me better money.  I don't want to be motivated by money.  I enjoy and love football - it's a drug.

"I grew up in a football family, my father was the Brian Clough of Zimbabwean football.  Football paid my school fees and clothed me."

On moving to England five years ago, Tostao, who was struggling to pay his education fees, was introduced to someone who was involved with Millwall at the university.  He was offered a trial at Fisher Athletic, and signed for the Docklands outfit.  Following spells with Gravesend & Northfleet and Margate he has finally found his home - at Dartford Football Club - unless Liverpool or Real Madrid telephone him.