AFC Bournemouth
Lights, camera, action…
Coming to a football pitch near you soon – The Jordan Zemura Story with guest appearances from Tom Cruise and James Corden.
A self-confessed film buff, Zemura was thrust into the spotlight when he made his full league debut in AFC Bournemouth’s 2-2 draw with West Brom on Friday.
The 21-year-old had a hand in Phil Billing’s goal and played his part as the Cherries defence came under intense pressure during a Championship blockbuster.
It was a special day for Zemura who was fortunate to share it with mum Sharon, dad Sam, brothers Jesse and Hunter and cousin Munashe.
Also among the crowd was girlfriend Kristen who was treated by Zemura to a memorable 20th birthday dinner at a restaurant in London’s West End on Saturday night.
Zemura takes up the story for afcb.co.uk: “You wouldn’t believe who was on the table behind us – Tom Cruise and James Corden.
“It’s not every day a boy from Isle of Sheppey and a girl from Dartford get to see Tom Cruise and James Corden in a restaurant!
“Although everybody kept themselves to themselves, I asked my girlfriend if she thought it would be weird if I asked for a picture. I didn’t in the end.
“I’m not going to lie, I was star struck. We just couldn’t believe it. We don’t go out in that part of London very often but, if we did, I guess we would see a lot of A-listers.
“I’m a film fanatic. I watch a lot of films and go to the cinema a lot. In my other life, I was a film critique!
“I wasn’t even born when some of Tom Cruise’s films came out but I’ve watched most of them. I love Pearl Harbor, Top Gun, Mission Impossible and Never Back Down.
“When I was young, my parents would always buy DVDs and we would go to the cinema all the time. I’m getting into series more now but I always love a movie. I used to like writing when I was at school and was good at English. I like plots and storylines.”
Asked for his top three films, Zemura selected Seven Pounds with Will Smith, The Notebook and all the Marvel movies. He also wanted to give “an honourable mention” to Training Day with Denzel Washington.
So, if he was going to direct a film about his 2021/22 season, how would it pan out?
“I’ll give you a beginning and a middle but, when it comes to an ending, let’s revisit this interview at a later date!" laughed the affable Cherries academy graduate.
“In the beginning, there was a new gaffer, a new management team and I worked really hard in pre-season to try to cement my place and show I’m a man now, not a little boy.
“What better challenge than West Brom for my full league debut. They were very direct, all above six feet and I relished and enjoyed it.
“I’m not thinking about opposition teams, I’m thinking about the competition in my team. It’s a good environment and we all get along really well.
“There are times when you feel gutted you’re not playing but the manager has to play his best 11. I have to make sure I’m in there.
“In the middle section, I’d like to think I’ll score my first professional goal and register an assist. I scored in the Carabao Cup last season but it was a penalty.
“Okay, let’s set a target.
“If I can keep my place, I genuinely think I can get five assists and three goals by the middle of the season. I would say more but I’m going to be realistic because the Championship is tough.
“I know I might go through a period when I’m not playing. That’s the game. But for now, it’s only positive thoughts in my head. It’s about how I can improve, how I can get better and how I can help the team.”
Last season, Zemura appeared in the Championship, Carabao Cup and FA Cup for the Cherries as well as making his international debut for Zimbabwe in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Algeria.
He will be hoping to keep his place when Scott Parker’s team face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
“To be honest, the adrenalin from Friday only wore off on Tuesday!” said Zemura with a smile as big as a Cheshire cat.
“The Championship is exhilarating and we have been preparing for Forest. My head is screwed on and I’ve got to move on now.
“I played in some really nice stadiums last season but they were empty due to Covid. The stadium in Algeria held 60,000 and was an old school, beautiful ground but there was nobody there.
“I’m looking forward to the City Ground. I played there a few times as a youngster and was on the bench for the first team last season. It was 0-0 and you could see it would have been a different game if it had been packed.
“We go there on the back of getting a good point against a very good West Brom team. They played a good game and we stood up to the challenge. We will go to Forest looking to get another positive result.”
Click through the arrows above to see a selection of pictures of Jordan Zemura from this season.
