From the dusty streets of Highfield, famously known as Fio, to the bright lights of European football, this is my journey.
I’m Brian Badza, a former Caps United and Zimbabwe national football forward my dream carried me across borders into unfamiliar territory.
In this honest and heartfelt reflection, I share my first steps in Belgium, where I was reunited with my fellow Zimbabwean and former Caps United teammate, Cephas Chimedza.
But this is more than just a football story, it’s about resilience, culture shock, homesickness, and the quiet strength it takes to grow in a foreign land.
It’s a reminder of the human side of professional sport, where success is earned not only on the pitch but also through the silent battles faced far from home.
In 2005, I took a life-changing step, leaving Zimbabwe to pursue my dream of playing football in Europe.
I was just a young man then, full of hope, ambition, and a burning desire to prove myself on a bigger stage.
But it wasn’t just about football , it was a leap into the unknown.
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A new country. A new culture. A brand-new chapter in my life.
Belgium became my first stop in European football.
I still remember the cold air hitting my face, the unfamiliar surroundings, and the sound of a language I didn’t understand.
Everything felt so far from home. But there was comfort in the familiar, I was joining a club that already had my former Caps United teammate, Cephas Chimedza.
That connection made the transition a little easier. Having a familiar face in the dressing room brought a sense of belonging during those early days of uncertainty and homesickness.
What made the experience even more incredible was that the club was competing in the Europa League.
For a young man straight out of Zimbabwean football, that was a dream come true.
Walking into European stadiums, lining up against players I had only seen on TV , it was surreal.
The pressure to perform at that level was intense, but it molded me. It shaped me, not just as a footballer, but as a man.
Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing.
The language barrier was one of the toughest challenges I faced. I remember struggling to understand the coach, missing key instructions, and feeling lost in conversations with teammates.
I didn’t speak French or Dutch, and adapting to both the language and the team’s culture was incredibly difficult. It became clear very quickly , this journey wasn’t just about football.
It was about learning, adjusting, and finding my place in a whole new world.
The club had brought in many foreign players, and we were all fighting for limited spots.
The competition was fierce. Sometimes, I felt like a stranger in the locker room, trying to prove I belonged.
But it was in those challenging moments that I built resilience. I grew stronger. Every setback reminded me where I came from and why I was there.
There were many ups and downs: injuries, time on the bench, being left out of the squad, pressure from back home, and the personal battle of trying to stay grounded while chasing success.
Back then, there was no WhatsApp, no Facebook, no instant way to connect with home. We used phone shops to call our families, just to hear a familiar voice.
I remember one day vividly. I had reached my breaking point. I walked into a phone shop, called my auntie Gloria on the landline and I just broke down. I couldn’t hold it in. I cried.
It was harder than I had ever imagined. But every experience, whether joyful or painful, added something to me. It built character. It prepared me for the life ahead.
Looking back now, those seasons in Belgium were some of the most defining years of my life. They taught me more than just how to play football at a higher level, they taught me about life, about different cultures, and about discovering who I truly am. I matured in ways I never imagined.
To be continued…
