Curtworth Masango
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THERE are special moments in football, which end up being frozen in immortality, to become a point of reflection when fans remember the good, old days.
Like when a Warrior, or Young Warrior, scores a hat-trick for one of our national teams.
Shackman Tauro was the first Warrior to score a hat-trick for the Warriors in a 3-0 win over Zanzibar on November 26, 1982, in a CECAFA Cup third-place play-off.
Vitalis Takawira followed suit on January 22, 1995, with a hat-trick in a crushing 4-0 win for the Warriors over Cameroon in an AFCON qualifier at the National Sports Stadium.
Gilbert Mushangazhike scored a hat-trick for the Warriors in their 6-0 crushing win over Vietnam, in the Dunhill Cup, in Malaysia on February 23, 1997.
Agent Sawu scored a hat-trick for the Warriors in a 4-0 win over Eritrea, in an AFCON qualifier, on August 15, 1999.
Peter Ndlovu scored a hat-trick for the Warriors in a 5-0 romp over Eswatini in a COSAFA Cup match on June 27, 2004, while Knowledge Musona scored all three goals in a 3-0 win over Liberia on June 11, 2017.
Prince Dube scored a hat-trick for the Warriors in a 3-1 win over Mauritius in a CHAN qualifier on August 4, 2019, at Barbourfields.
On Tuesday, a new name was added to this special group of players when Elisha Pfupa scored a hat-trick in a 4-1 win for the Young Warriors in an Olympics Games qualifier against Mauritius.
At 17, he is also the youngest member of that group.
The Portsmouth Academy forward, who was also the youngest player in the Young Warriors camp, scored three first-half goals in Tuesday’s victory.
“Scoring that hat-trick means a lot to me, especially for my family and my team-mates back in Portsmouth,” said Pfupa.
“It has really helped my confidence.
“I believe God has guided me to this position. The future is in His hands and where He decides to lead me.”
Pfupa’s introduction to international football began with questions about how he would adjust to the demands of the Under-23 side.
“When I found out about the call-up, it was a bit of a shock. I am quite young and one of the youngest here, so I had to adapt to an environment with older boys,” he said.
“I have been in environments with 19-year-olds before and that helped me adapt as a player. Playing with older boys has helped me through this brilliant experience.
“It has given me good confidence, and I believe we will go into the Mali games with a positive (mindset).
“When we play them at home, I believe it could be a good game. But we have to focus on what is ahead and leave the past behind.”
He added:
“I think this team could go far.
“I was quite proud when I got called up. It was a big moment for my coaches and my family.
“Representing this country is a big responsibility. I’m blessed and grateful for opportunities and experiences like this.”
His finishing provided the cutting edge that coach Marc Sanchez was the missing link in the first leg which Zimbabwe won 2-0 at the National Sports Stadium.
“In the first match, I think we had more control of the game, but in the second we had more punch and scored four goals in the first half,” Sanchez said.
