adminas the 2014 World Cup finals.
The France-based midfielder and the duo of Khama Billiart and Willard Katsande — who ply their trade in the South African Premiership — are part of the first batch of players that have been cleared by Zifa.
And Karuru, speaking from his base in France yesterday, said he would not be under pressure to deliver as the coaches and the fans would be expecting more from the trio who have been already been drafted into the enlarged Warriors squad by coach Rahman Gumbo.
“When I play each and every game I don’t put myself under pressure. And when I don that Warriors jersey and I am on the pitch I tell myself that I am the best
although I know that there are many good players in the squad.
“Self-confidence has helped me a lot and I’m not afraid to make mistakes in front of the fans.
“Everyone that has been called into the squad should give a hundred percent effort and for the home games we should get maximum points.
“For the forthcoming Burundi match, we have to die on the pitch because it is a must-win game for us,” said Karuru
The former Masvingo United and Gunners midfielder said it was agonising to watch the team losing their opening African Cup of Nations match 1-2 to Burundi away in Bujumbura.
“I will continue from where I left off and at least life is back to normal. If you are fit and eligible to play and you don’t, it pains. The team should just perform whether one is in or not. But it (the suspension) was a difficult period for me and it was beginning to affect me. People here in France were just asking ‘what is happening in Zimbabwe’ and even now they are still enquiring because not all of the players have been cleared. But the suspension is now history and am now looking forward to playing if I’m fit and I am selected by the coaches,” said Karuru.
The US Boulogne midfielder’s, season will end this Saturday.
“I am fit and playing but I’m still having a problem with my ankle especially if I play on hard grounds but here most of the pitches are always good so I don’t usually aggravate it and I usually strap it.
“Our season is ending on Saturday and unfortunately my team didn’t do well and have been relegated but I will not be returning home immediately as I still have to sort out my future here and have to do some paperwork,” said Karuru.
The Warriors have a busy schedule next month as they open their World Cup campaign with an away tie against Guinea on June 3 before hosting Mozambique the following weekend in another World Cup qualifier before turning their focus to the Africa Cup of Nations preliminary round, second round crunch tie against Burundi.
The following week they would host Guinea in another World Cup qualifier in a month which would shape the Warriors future in the two major competitions.
The winner of the African Cup of Nations qualifier will progress to another round where they will meet the nations that participated at the continental showpiece which was jointly hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon early this year. The qualifiers have been set for September.
The draw for the second round will be held in the first week of July 2012, after the first round is completed.
Online Reporter