adminAugustine Hwata Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE international striker Cuthbert Malajila says it’s about time the Warriors returned to the Nations Cup finals and is confident of a successful qualifying campaign, which gets underway in Tanzania tomorrow. He feels Zimbabwe’s fine run at the CHAN finals should be an indicator that the Warriors are ready to hunt again.
Ironically, Zimbabwe’s previous appearances at the Nations Cup had been in North Africa – Egypt in 2004 and Tunisia in 2006.
And, with the 2015 Nations Cup finals in Morocco, Malajila feels the Warriors are fated to return to the showcase.
“If we look at this team, we have the core of the players who have achieved success at the CHAN tournament,” said Malajila.
“So, it means the coach believes and even us, as players, we believe that we can make it.
“We have to believe in ourselves and take it from there. These guys have done well and the fans have to rally behind us.
“It has been long (since Zimbabwe were at Afcon), but the fans have to keep on believing in us because in football there are some many roadblocks.”
The former Chapungu, Highlanders and Dynamos forward is one of the three foreign-based players in the squad alongside goalkeeper Washington Arubi and striker Tendai Ndoro.
“We are going there and we need a positive result. It’s a home-and-away game which means when we go there we have to get a win knowing that we another game at home,” he said.
A lot is expected from Malajila to lead the attack.
Coach Ian Gorowa has taken a number up new players for their maiden tour with the senior national team in Marshall Mudehwe, Ronald Pfumbidzai and Talent Chawapihwa.
Malajila has encouraged the trio to come to the party on tomorrow to be counted.
“This is their chance and in national team one must grab their chance,” said Malajila.
The striker is walking with a spring in his step after helping his South African Premiership side Mamelodi Sundowns claim the Absa Premiership title recently. Malajila scored six goals during the season and hopes to bag more next season.
He said while he was happy to win the championship, a spate of injuries during the season limited his contribution to the Brazilians.
Online Reporter