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Curtworth Masango
TYMON Machope says he is proud to be part of the Warriors who are in South Africa on World Cup duties.
Machope was playing social football, at a farm, until July last year.
“I am very happy to be part of the team. It’s a dream come true and I can’t explain the magnitude of my happiness.”
A section of football stakeholders questioned the selection criteria used by coaches to assemble the squad. Machope was one of the players who were singled out and whose presence in the team was questioned. However, the striker said football fans will always have something to criticise and he is unfazed by it.
“I understand that, in football, fans can’t all agree on certain things in squad set-ups.
“Personally, I support Real Madrid and in many scenarios I feel the coach should have fielded someone instead of his preferred choices, but that’s football, it’s normal.
“So, as a player, I can’t criticise or respond to everyone who comes forward to criticise me.
“Everyone has to say out freely what he feels or thinks of a player and for me the biggest response is to be professional and answer on the field of play. Even on the field of play, a player can also make mistakes but it does not necessarily imply that you take it at heart as fans will always react differently.”
Machope says he has received a warm welcome from senior players in camp.
“I felt welcomed in the squad, when I first spoke with Munetsi (Marshall) he was saying we have been hearing a lot about a guy called Machope, a tall striker who is doing well in the local league and I said ‘yes, it’s me.’
“He was happy to meet me, I was happy also to be welcomed in that way.
“Now I am expecting to do great things with the squad, the senior guys are accommodative and that creates a good atmosphere for winning in the team.”
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter