By OSU Force Academy
Much like the club feels reciprocally, Ndzemdzela “Zoom” Langwa is sad to be leaving Ottawa South United, but can’t help but feel excited for what the future holds.
The OSU Force player of eight years will be moving to Toronto over the winter break, where he’ll join the Toronto FC youth academy.
“I’m excited. It’s a great opportunity and I hope I get a lot from it,” smiles Langwa, who admits he was surprised the pro club selected him after attending a trial this past summer. “I didn’t think they’d actually ask me.”
One man who isn’t the slightest bit surprised is Abe Osman, his coach this past season with the Force U14 boys’ Ontario Youth Soccer League team.
“He’s an outstanding player – one of the best I’ve seen in a long time,” Osman says. “We showed him a little bit, but he’s got a lot of natural talent. He’s blessed with a lot of skill.”
Langwa sticks out on the pitch compared to others immediately simply due to his physique, and it surely only takes a moment longer before he makes a big impact on the game. The left-footed striker co-led the OYSL in scoring this season with 22 goals in 16 games. It didn’t hurt that four of those markers came in a game against Brampton East – who allowed more than one goal on just four other occasions all season – when a TFC scout was watching.
“Some games against provincial players – we’re not talking just the average, regular defender – he manhandled them,” Osman highlights, praising Langwa’s relentless work ethic. “He was manhandling guys in our age group and he was manhandling guys when he got called up to the older age group.
“Zoom had an incredible year.”
Langwa will live with the family of a teammate from Toronto once he moves there, and will train at TFC’s new $17.5 million facility in Downsview Park.
“It’s a really big change. My parents didn’t really want me to move,” laughs Langwa, explaining that eventually they decided it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. “I’d like to play professional. That’s my life goal really.”
The Grade 9 Sacred Heart Catholic High School student carries many great memories from his time with OSU, including his team’s undefeated campaign last year where they won the East Region Soccer League and the ER Cup.
“If I didn’t play with TFC, I’d be playing with those guys,” he underlines. “They’re a great group of guys and a lot of fun to be around.”
Langwa also feels thankful for the role OSU played in his development.
“It’s a great club. There’s a lot of great coaches,” he says, signaling his appreciation to general manager Jim Lianos for helping to create the link to TFC. “Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
OSU President Bill Michalopulos was pleased for both Langwa and the club as a whole to see his development into an elite talent.
“Zoom is unique. He exemplifies a lot about what OSU is. He’s a competitor, he’s determined,” Michalopulos states. “This is also a testament of OSU’s hard work in showcasing our players and providing them the best possible technical programs to help Zoom and all our players reach their maximum potential. The club is very proud.”