Mutare boy named English Premier League scholar of the year

IN a landmark achievement for Zimbabwean football, 17-year-old footballer, Shumirai ‘Shim’ Mheuka has been named the Premier League scholar of the year for 24/25 season.

The Chelsea FC forward, born in England to Zimbabwean parents has impressed, both on the pitch and in the classroom, earning one of the most prestigious youth football accolades in English football.

Mheuka’s footballing DNA traces back to Zimbabwe.

His father, Malcolm Mheuka, was a prominent midfielder for Zimbabwe Saints and Circle Cement, and a key member of the Mutare Boys’ High School team that famously clinched the 1998 NASH Copa Coca-Cola Cup.

Although Shim was born in Birmingham, his heritage is firmly anchored in Dangamvura, Mutare.

His own football journey began at Brighton & Hove Albion’s Academy at the tender age of nine, before making a high-profile move to Chelsea in 2022.

Since then, he has been a standout performer at every level, scoring 12 goals in 20 appearances for Chelsea’s Under-18s in the 2023/24 season.

The 2024/25 season has seen Mheuka reach new heights.

After signing his first professional contract with Chelsea in October 2024 shortly after turning 17, he made his senior debut in a UEFA Conference League match against Astana in December.

Just two months later, he featured in a Premier League match against Southampton, becoming one of Chelsea’s youngest-ever debutants in the competition.

On March 6, 2025, he etched his name into Chelsea history by becoming the youngest player to start a European match for the club, aged 17 years and 137 days, in a Conference League fixture against FC Copenhagen.

Mheuka’s scholar of the year title is a powerful endorsement of his dual commitment to academic achievement and footballing excellence.

The Premier League scholar of the year award is presented annually to the most outstanding player enrolled in the Premier League’s Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP), a programme that balances rigorous football training with formal education.

This award recognises individuals who excel, not just in their sport, but also in academics, in personal discipline, and as role models within their clubs and communities.

Mheuka’s recognition means he stood out among hundreds of academy scholars across all Premier League clubs.

It celebrates his leadership, professionalism, strong work ethic, and a positive attitude to both sport and study, qualities that mark him as one of the most grounded and promising young talents in England.

This honour is also a reminder that the Premier League is committed to preparing young players not only for football success but also for life beyond the game.

Internationally, Mheuka has made a significant impact for England at youth level.

After helping the Under-17 side during the European Championship campaign, he made a seamless transition to the U-19s in late 2024, scoring on his debut, and again in the next match against top-tier European opposition.

While his future seems intertwined with England for now, Mheuka remains eligible to represent Zimbabwe at senior level, offering hope to local fans that the powers that be in local football circles can manage lure him to fulfill their dreams of seeing him don the Warriors jersey in years to come. Manica Post