I am sorry: Talbert Shumba

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
WARRIORS goalkeeper Talbert Shumba believes indecision at a crucial moment soon after the ball had left the boots of Ghana captain Thomas Partey resulted in calamity which eventually saw the Warriors’ World Cup campaign coming to a premature end.

The Warriors lost the encounter played at the National Sports Stadium on Tuesday 0-1 and in the process bowed out of the World Cup with two rounds of matches remaining.

In an interview with Chronicle Sport yesterday in which he also offered an apology to the nation and asked for forgiveness, the Highlanders junior product who played premiership football for Chapungu, said while it is known that mistakes happen in football, he was totally shocked by that howler moment and remains pained that he let his teammates, coaches but crucially, the entire nation down.

“I let the nation down and ngicela uxolo. I can’t explain exactly what happened but I think the movement of the ball made me change my decision at a crucial point and I ended up opting to punch and that split second of changing my decision cost the team,” said Shumba.

Now with Free State Stars in South Africa, the 31 year old Shumba said shock and embarrassment engulfed him and during those few seconds, his world collapsed.

He paid tribute to his teammates who never rebuked him but instead encouraged him to stay focused and forget about what had just happened.

“They encouraged me to keep concentrating and it helped me a lot because I knew I wasn’t alone in the situation. The coaches told me to keep my head up and keep on pushing and that played a huge part, at the same time I told myself I have to carry on and help the team, what happened has already happened I can’t change it,” said Shumba.

At half-time, goalkeepers coach and former Warriors shot stopper Energy Murambadaro told Shumba to forget about what happened and just play his normal game.

“He told me to forget about what had happened and play my normal game like the game was just starting with no goals. He saisd even at the top level like the World Cup final such things can happen,” said Shumba.