Charlotte's Jono Nyandjo debuts: “It’s a privilege if you get this chance”

By Brian Maurer

Photo Courtesy of Mixons Gallery

On March 5, 2024, Crown Legacy FC announced they signed preseason trialist Jonathan Nyandjo to his first professional contract. Nyandjo, or “Jono”, is a Charlotte native who took a path less traveled to that coveted pro contract. 

Many kids in Charlotte today will have an opportunity to grow up trying out for Academy teams and if they are good enough getting opportunities abroad. Charlotte FC’s established Academy-to-Pro pathway has magnified those opportunities. That wasn’t always the case.  “With me, I didn’t really get that route…you never want to be that person to complain about something like that…because everyone’s situation is different,” Nyandjo said. When Nyandjo was growing up he didn’t have that same local opportunity that many – including his younger brother James – have now. 

Nyandjo opted for the college route, and Jason Osborne – who is now the Charlotte FC U-17 Head Coach – played a pivotal role in recruiting him to UNC-Charlotte. “When I first got to Charlotte it was a little bit rough…I was working really hard and I wasn’t seeing the direct outcomes so it was a little bit frustrating” reflected Nyandjo on how his college experience started.

While his start to college ball was difficult Nyandjo highlighted that his Head Coach Kevin Langan believed in him. “It probably changed my life,” said Nyandjo on what his coach’s belief did to inspire him forward.

Nyandjo was hurt for part of his Sophomore year which led to him refocusing and getting back to work for what he felt was a “Make or break summer” before his Junior year started.

“On paper, it's my best season, mentally I thought it was probably my worst season…That summer I worked crazy hard so the outcome wasn’t as big as I was expecting” said Nyandjo, and that result was “another lesson I had to go through.” 

The young forward was able to acknowledge that there are times when the hard work doesn’t pay off “Sometimes you do everything you feel that you need to do and the chips don’t fall” Nyandjo disclosed.

While his story could have ended here, he instead redoubled his efforts and ended his Senior year as a First-Team All-American and MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist. The work eventually did pay off. “That’s why the very last year felt so rewarding” stated Nyandjo.

After the college accolades the UNC-Charlotte graduate thought he had set himself up to go pro through the draft. “In December the way you see it in your head is ‘oh I’m gonna get drafted and all this is gonna happen’ so when it doesn’t the reality starts to set in that this could be it” Nyandjo reflected.

While Nyandjo did not get drafted, it did nothing to weaken his resolve. As he had already done so many times before he worked to find another way to accomplish his dream. This led him to a trial with Crown Legacy FC and earning a pro contract with the development club. “Everybody’s pathway is different…it ultimately opened up this option,” Nyandjo said. “I’m going to give 100% to this project and see where it goes because that’s all I can control.”

In some ways, because of how much the city of Charlotte means to him, it does feel a bit like destiny. “I love Charlotte…obviously it’s my career and I would love to play wherever God blessed me enough to put on shoes and play, I’m happy…but, when it was even an option to stay in Charlotte for me it was like okay this is what I want to do…I love Charlotte so much” said Nyandjo. 

Charlotte FC fans were introduced to the hometown kid this past Sunday as he started at center forward during a 1-1 draw against the new expansion side and local rival, Carolina Core FC.

The Charlotte native describes himself as a footy player who would play anywhere on the field. More specifically, he describes himself as “a forward player – I like to create chances, I like to score, I like to dribble, I like to create, I like to cause problems, energy, work, fight” stated Nyandjo. In his college career, he played on the wings as well as centrally. He said that Legacy Head Coach José Tavares is currently most interested in him at center forward. 

Matthews Sports Plex bore witness to some of that attacking ability, especially during his attempted bicycle kick that just missed over the crossbar.

The young attacker feels a constant connection to this city which is reflected in his desire to push himself to make attempts like the bicycle kick on the field. “It’s a different feeling…it’s a different vibe, you feel more attached to it…like you’re ready to cry when things go wrong, it’s that type of emotion…I like the emotion and I like having something bigger than you on the line” responded Nyandjo when discussing the feeling of playing in his hometown.

That emotion is something he also thinks about when it comes to Charlotte fans pushing the first team. He reflected on how he has seen fans get behind other local players like midfielder Brandt Bronico and full-back Jaylin Lindsey. He specifically highlighted the Tifo the fans made for Lindsey. “If Charlotte was really pushing you that much it must be such an insane feeling,” exclaimed Nyandjo.

As Crown Legacy’s second season gets underway, there is another hometown kid for Charlotte fans to root for. Because of all the times this opportunity almost didn’t happen for him, the former Charlotte 49er is not likely going to take his moment for granted. The fans, the city, and the game mean too much to him “It’s a blessing, it’s a privilege if you get this chance.”