adminGrace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
WARRIOR’s goalkeeper Washington Arubi, who has been sucked into the match-fixing scandal following allegations that he received dirty money, says he is not bothered by the allegations and is rather focused on today’s game against Swaziland.
The veteran goalkeeper was drafted into the squad despite allegations by former ZIFA chief executive Henrietta Rushwaya that the goalkeeper received money, on a regular basis, from match-fixers in the past few months.
Rushwaya claims that it was all part of a sting operation to nail the match-fixers and Arubi did not perform as demanded by the gamblers.
The Limpopogate is now being handled by both ZIFA and South African Football Association and some players in the Super Diski, including Arubi, have been charged and will appear before a disciplinary hearing in South Africa.
Arubi was in goals in the last Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea where he had a howler to hand the visitors an early lead before Knowledge Musona equalised to tie the match 1-1.
He is, however, set to play second fiddle to Dynamos goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva in this match with the young ‘keeper likely to be thrust into the starting line-up this afternoon.
Mukuruva was in charge of the first match of the campaign against Malawi.
He also had a good outing during the CHAN tournament where he was named the man-of-the-match in the 1-1 draw against the Cranes of Uganda and coach Callisto Pasuwa is likely to chose him ahead of the senior goalie.
“I can’t comment on that (match fixing) but I am focused and there is nothing that is bothering me. I am here to play soccer and my job is to play soccer. There are some people who will comment about that (match-fixing) for now I am ready to play for my nation.
“We are ready for the game and we are desperate for these three points especially playing away from home.
“But we have an advantage we would be playing them again on Monday at home but for now we are just concentrating with the Friday’s game.
“We respect Swaziland as a team and as a nation. Things are changing and back then they were not a good team but they have improved but we are going there with a mentality of winning,” said Arubi.
The former Dynamos goalkeeper said he has put behind him the schoolboy blunder against Guinea and is fighting for a place in the team.
“As a goalkeeper you must know you are the last man in defence and if you make a mistake it is obviously a goal.
“I have been there before and I have been here in football for long and I am done with that. I am concentrating with Friday’s game and I am ready.
“All of us, three of us, we are good goalkeepers. I am happy for them (upcoming goalkeepers), they have been playing very well, they are coming up and I have been supporting them in and out.
“Anyone who is going to be chosen to play on Friday is going to perform,” said Arubi. Wits University defender, Onesimor Bhasera, who has bounced back into the national team after an absence of about four years, said he is happy to be back.
The left-back is hoping to convert his club form to the national team as he has been playing regularly for the Johannesburg side since recovering from an injury.
The Students are on second spot in the ABSA Premiership behind Mamelodi Sundowns.
“It is always good to represent your country and I am happy to be back. It is an honour and everyone wants to do that.
“I just have to push with the guys. The guys have done a great job in the first two matches so I need to pull in the same direction and work as a team and make sure we go out there and come back with something,” he said.
The former Kaizer Chiefs man believes there is a lot of talent within the Warriors team which should make it easier for them to collect maximum points which are crucial if we are entertaining any hopes of qualifying for the Gabon finals early next year.
“We can get the six points with the talent we have and the guys we have here. We have quality guys who are doing well with their clubs.
“Of course, it is different club level and national team level. Of course, we should be able to manage to pull it off and get three points there and three points here.
“We can’t take this match lightly and we are going to fight as a team and make sure we come back with something,” he said.
The defender is likely to start today in a defence that also features Eric Chipeta. The Chippa United defender is enjoying his game having featured in all league matches, expect for one, for his club and contributing three goals.
The big defender is also optimistic of a happy hunt in Swaziland.
“It is a crucial game and as a team we have discussed that we have to go and fight for three points away from home. We have to go there do our best and come out with a positive result.
“It is a big task, the schedule is tight, but for some of us we are used to it, that kind of set-up playing two matches inside four days.
“So it really needs to be more tactical and the approach should be professional.
“I think everyone is putting in a good shift and it is just a matter of the coach selecting the right person for the right position and and I think anyone selected in the team will play his heart out,” said Chipeta.
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