Devine Lunga for world club championships

WARRIORS left-back Devine Lunga has earned praise from his former Chicken Inn coach, Joey Antipas after it emerged that he will be their first player at the first edition of the expanded Fifa Club World Cup set for next year.

The Mpopoma-bred Lunga became the first Zimbabwean to qualify for the new-look tournament after South Africa football giants Mamelodi Sundowns booked their place.

Sundowns got their berth despite losing to Esperance 2-0 on aggregate in the Champions League semi-final.

Both clubs qualified to the Club World Cup via the ranking pathway.

“Patience has really paid for Devine. He is a very good player, a hard worker and I am happy he is reaping the fruits now. He has always remained focused despite being on the sidelines for a longtime.

I’m happy about the boy, we nurtured and helped him grow in football, he will be the first to represent the country at such a particular stage,” said Antipas

Lunga’s Sundowns and Esperance will join Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca, who have already booked their spots as winners of the Champions League in 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively.

The Zimbabwe international recently became eligible to play as a South African. Lunga moved to the PSL in 2018 from one of the top sides in his native country, Chicken Inn, following an agreement to join Golden Arrows. The period he has spent in South Africa met the requirement to apply for permanent residency and allowed Sundowns to register him on their books as a local.

In Malawi, Collin Mujuru got another Man of the Match award after his Calisto Pasuwa mentored Nyasa Big Bullets side beat Baka City over the weekend.

Mujuru was also named the Man of the Match in their previous game against Chitipa United.

Against Baka City, Mujuru played the entire 90 minutes while his fellow countrymen Ronald Chitiyo and Kenneth Pasuwa were relegated to the bench.

In the Saudi Pro League, former Warriors captain Knowledge Musona’s side Al Riyadh, beat Al-Ahli 2-1.

It was a match in which Musona managed to meet Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino for the first time in 10 years.

Firmino plays for Al-Ahli and the two players played at German side TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.

They reportedly separated when Musona left the club in December 2014 to join Belgian side KV Oostende.

Firmino later moved to England and joined Liverpool six months later in July 2015.The two gifted players played against each other late last week and Musona was really delighted.

Posting on X after their first encounter in a decade, Musona said: “It was great seeing you my brother after more than 10 years. I was so happy.”

Warriors prospect Joey Phuthi is reportedly set to get a new deal at his English Championship club, Sheffield Wednesday.

Phuthi is among a few players that the club wants to extend their stay.

According to English publication, The Star, Sheffield Wednesday are in the process of finalising the new terms for the contract.

The 19-year-old forward had an eventful season so far, having made his senior debut for Sheffield in the FA Cup and also made his international bow for the Warriors.

Phuthi has been with Wednesday’s academy since he was 13.

In Malawi, former Highlanders and CAPS United defender, Collin Mujuru was named man of the match in Nyasa Bullet’s 2-1 victory over Baka City.

His countrymen Kenneth Pasuwa and Ronald Chitiyo were benched for this encounter. In the English Premier League, there was no game time for Wolves midfielder Tawanda Chirewa who made his debut against Arsenal a fortnight ago. His Wolves outfit won 2-1 against Luton Town.

In the Namibian First Division, Nkosilomusa Khanye continued with his goalscoring, netting his seventh in nine games and taking his assists tally to six in his team’s 2-1 win over Eleven Arrows.

Khanye plays for Mariental Sports Club. — @FungaiMuderere