admin
Tadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter
IT keeps on getting better for Takudzwa Chimwemwe with the Warriors full-back’s reputation in the Zambian top-flight football taking yet another huge leap forward after inspiring Nkana to a 2-0 win over Power Dynamos in one of Africa’s biggest derbies over the weekend.
The former Harare City man never appeared overwhelmed by the occasion in a packed Nkana Stadium — the first time he was playing this fixture in the presence of fans and instead the drum-beating supporters from both ends seemed to spur the Zimbabwean. Having already started 12 games for the Red Devils and scoring once, Chimwemwe was thrown into his usual full-back position as the home team adopted an ultra-attacking formation to put a stop to a run of five games spanning back to 2015 without a win against their bitter rivals at this venue.
And Chimwemwe was on top of his game from start to finish, floating an out-footed cross that resulted in an own-goal by Paul Banda.
The Zimbabwean continued to torment the Power Dynamos defence and also launched an arrowed free-kick which, however, hit the wall. He was always going to force his name on the score-sheet and with 20 minutes to play, Chimwemwe latched onto a draw-back from the left by-line and unleashed a grounder that effectively sealed the points for the home team.
Chimwemwe, who was duly voted man-of-the-match, said he was happy to have shone above everyone in the derby.
“I am very happy firstly because our team won the match,” Chimwemwe said.
“We had gone for six years without winning a match against Power Dynamos at this stadium and to be part of a crop that has broken that jinx is fulfilling. I am happy, very happy to have helped the team win this match and to be voted man-of-the-match.
“I will continue working hard and try to help the team achieve their targets.”
Chimwemwe is one of the regular Warriors player who has been included in the 40-man provisional squad for the 2021 AFCON finals to be played in Cameroon from January 10 to February 6 next year.
Online Reporter