Morales, Bolívar, the homeland of former footballer and current coach Óscar Passo, who stood out in the 2000s with Tolima, Nacional and the Colombian National Team, has a new professional footballer. Striker Dayro Peña Zabaleta received his first call-up to Tigre’s professional team, in Argentina’s first division.
Wearing number 34, Dayro was called up by coach Sebastián Domínguez (remembered central defender for Newells, Corinthians and Estudiantes, among other teams, and later ESPN commentator and now Tigre coach) for the away match against Argentinos Juniors, at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium. Peña Zabaleta was on the bench for the entire match, living his first experience in the 6th round of the Argentine Professional League.
Dayro was born in Morales on July 27, 2004, and is about to turn 20. He has been playing football since he was eight years old, and started at a small school in Morales. He then continued his training process in Cartagena, in the ranks of Academia de Crespo, and went to Argentina, where he played in the lower divisions of Racing Club, and then moved to Tigre, in mid-2023, where he played in the fourth division and in the reserve tournament.
In Argentina, he is described as a player with speed and dribbling skills. He plays as a winger or forward, usually on the left. “The truth is I am very happy, I really want to keep trying. This is a very important achievement for me,” Peña told #PrimerTiempoCO.
“Coach Domínguez told me to remain humble, to keep working as I have been, and that the opportunity to make my professional debut will come at any moment,” said the Bolivarian.
Tigre won 2-0 with goals from Blas Armoa and Nahuel Banegas. For the Matador team, it is only their first victory in six rounds of the championship. The team led by Seba Domínguez is in 22nd place among 28 teams, with five points. The leader is Talleres, with 13 points.
