Malajila bounces back into Warriors squad

former Dynamos hitman was included as a late call-up yesterday.
The Warriors will face the Eagles of Mali in a crunch African Cup of Na-tions Group A qualifying tie in Bamako on March 26.
But with coach Norman Mapeza having been forced to redraw his plans for the game following an injury to key Kaizer Chiefs striker Knowledge Mu-sona, the former Monomotapa gaffer has had to turn to Malajila to widen his attacking options.
Mapeza had tried to rope in Russia-based striker Musa Mguni but the former Motor Action forward, notorious for snubbing Warriors duty turned down his latest call-up.
The Warriors coach had then tried to bring in Takesure Chinyama but the former Hwange forward, who is now based in Poland, also indicated that he was not available, leaving Mapeza with no option but to recall Al-Akdhar striker Malajila.
Malajila had been featuring in Mapeza’s plans but the coach appeared concerned that the political unrest in Libya, which affected football in the North African country, had rendered the striker inactive for several weeks.
Warriors team manager Shariff Mussa said they have called Malajila after exhausting all other available options they have in securing an outright striker.
“Musa Mguni indicated that he cannot make it. And then we were talking to Takesure but he is just coming from an injury and is still to regain match fitness,” said Mussa.
The hardworking manager added that they were seriously considering using the players they have called before and had decided to give Malajila a chance.
“We are now looking at Cuthbert. The coach felt there is need to assess him. Remember he has not been playing for some time now.
“The last option would have been going with what we have but because Cuthbert is here and is easier, it is worth having a look at him,” said Mussa.
Mussa also said a final determination was still to be made over the fate of England-based left wing back Onismor Bhasera. The Plymouth Argyle former Harare United and Kaizer Chiefs left back was injured last Saturday during a club match but had indicated that it was a minor knock on his knee. While Bhasera has indicated his readiness for the battle of Bamako, Mussa said the Plymouth Argyle physiotherapist had indicated that the defender would not be fit to feature for his national team.
“I spoke to him last night and he assured me that he is definitely coming but his club physiotherapist has indicted that an MRI scan on his knee has revealed that it is a more serious injury and that the player will not be ready to play within the next two weeks,” said Mussa.
There were indications from the Warriors management that team doctor Nick Munyonga may have to assess Bhasera if the senior team are not convinced that Plymouth Argyle are not just hanging onto the player.
Zifa, who by last night had not sent out tickets to the foreign-based contingent, would also have to step up their act and ensure that Mapeza has all his troops in camp by Monday.
Despite the challenges with injuries to some of their players, Mapeza and his assistant Joey Antipas would have noted with satisfaction the return to scoring form of Mamelodi Sundowns striker Nyasha Mushekwi and the continued brilliant run of Ajax Cape Town’s Khama Billiat.
Mushekwi grabbed his side’s winner in their 1-0 triumph over Vasco Da Gama in the Absa Premiership in a agame in which Method Mwanjlai also played. Billiat, who has just won his maiden call to the Warriors, was in terrific form as Ajax Cape Town trounced Orlando Pirates 3-0 at Newlands Stadium to take top position on the log.
The former Aces Youth Academy forward capped a man of the match performance by scoring a brace in that Ajax Cape Town victory over Pirates.
There was also action for Warriors goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini on Wednesday night, albeit in a losing cause following a 1-0 defeat to Maritzburg United.
Mapeza is hopeful the players can carry their fine club form to the Warriors.
“We always expect our players to be playing regularly and doing well. I was able to watch Khama and Nyasha play. It is good that they are in form and it increases our options in the team.
“We expect our players to carry that form when they come for national duty,” said Mapeza.
The Warriors gaffer said he would not allow the limited options up front to affect his team. Edward Sadomba, Norman Maroto, Mushekwi and Malajila are the natural strikers in Mapeza’s squad.
“We will have to do the job with what is at our disposal. We still have options that we can juggle around with.
“Khama and Benjie (Marere) can play as central strikers or wide. And Khama is used in both positions at Ajax but we usually want to the players to play in positions they are comfortable with. We would have loved a central striker but as a coach I fully understand what it means when a player says he is injured or not match fit.
“We will assess Cuthbert when our camp starts on Monday and if he is okay we will consider him. At least he has gained some experience playing in Africa. It is just unfortunate that his league was disrupted otherwise we could have called him fully aware he can deliver for us,” said Mapeza.
The former Chapungu hitman who had a nightmarish experience in Libya and had to sneak back home via Egypt by road said he is now in the right frame of mind to resume playing football again.
“I am now okay. I have been training since I came back and have been going to the gym and I have also started training with Dynamos.
“All along I was playing at my club and only stopped when the protests began. As a player it is always a wish to play for the national team and if I impress I would love to feature for the Warriors again,” said Malajila.