Archford Gutu

Archford Gutu (born August 5, 1993) is a former Zimbabwean professional footballer who played as a midfielder for Dynamos F.C , Kalmar FF in Sweden and Zimbabwe National Team.

Club career

Early career Gutu joined South Africa's Ajax Cape Town in 2009 on a three-year deal, but failed to make a single appearance in the Premier Soccer League due to registration rules, because he was still a minor then. On September 1, 2010, he decided to terminate his contract with Ajax Cape Town FC .

Dynamos Harare On September 25, 2010, Gutu returned to Zimbabwe and signed with Dynamos Harare. He made his first appearance for Dynamos on November 4, 2010, coming on as a substitute in a 1–0 win against Monomotapa United. Gutu scored his first goal for Dynamos FC on the 12th of December 2010, derby match against rivals Caps United in a BancABC Super8 Cup Final win and he was named man of the match. On February 28, 2011, he scored two goals in Dynamos' 3–2 victory over CAPS United in the Bob 87 Super Cup Final. On the 9th of June 2011 Dynamos comfortably defeated Black Mambas 4-1, Archford Gutu scored two early goals identical free kicks for Dynamos in the 6th and 25th minutes. Dynamos went on to win double: The 2011 League title and The Inaugural Mbada Diamonds Cup. During his stay at Dynamos, Gutu was one of the club's top players before signing for Kalmar FF in Sweden.

Kalmar FF On September 20, 2011, Swedish club Kalmar FF confirmed that they had reached a deal with Dynamos Harare regarding Gutu, as of January 1, 2012, he would go on a six-month loan to Kalmar with Pape Diouf from Dakar UC, Senegal. On March 14, 2012, Kalmar FF announced that they had decided to purchase both Gutu and Diouf before Allsvenskan had started, on a four-year deal Archford Gutu is the first Zimbabwean professional footballer to play in Sweden. Archie made his first Europa League appearance on the 12th July 2012 against Cliftonville FC from Northen Ireland. Gutu's first Europa League goal came on the 19th of July 2012 against NK Osijek in Croatia, Kalmar ff won the 1st leg 3-1.

International career Youth teams Gutu was capped by Zimbabwe at under-17, under-20, and under-23 levels. He was part of the team that won the 2007 COSAFA Under-20 Cup in South Africa, following which he flew to Namibia to join and captained the Zimbabwe Under-17 team that won the 2007 COSAFA Under-17 Cup. In 2007, Gutu was among the Young Sportsmen of the Year nominees which he came 3rd.

Senior team Gutu won the COSAFA Cup with the Zimbabwe National Team as hosts in the 2009 tournament. Gutu was part of the Zimbabwe National Team squad that played 2011 African Nations Championship in Sudan. He scored in the second game of the group stages to help Zimbabwe beat Ghana, 1–0. Gutu scored his 2nd International goal a header against Angola in African Cup Of Nations Qualifies game on 1st of September 2012 in Rufaro Stadium Harare.

International goals Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 9 February 2011 Wad Madani Stadium 1–0 Win 2011 African Nations Championship 1 9 September 2012 National Sports Stadium (Zimbabwe) 3–1 Win 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification