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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS FC bound national team striker Charles Sibanda has been ruled out of tomorrow’s blood and thunder’ African Nations Championship clash with Mali.The 2010 Soccer Star of the Year picked up an injury during Zimbabwe’s last group match against Burkina Faso on Monday whom they beat 1-0 to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Chan tournament.
Sibanda had a decent game before picking up the injury after the hour mark leading to him being substituted and did not participate in yesterday’s training in Cape Town under the doctor’s instructions.
In a telephone interview from the Warriors’ base yesterday, a disappointed Sibanda said he would not be rushing to play for fear of aggravating his injury.
“The doctor told me to take it lightly and avoid rushing things because I might hurt myself more. I landed awkwardly trying to intercept a pass during the Burkina Faso game in the process hurting my left knee and picked an ankle injury. The pain on the knee is gone but it is the ankle that has made me sit out and watch training from the terraces.
“Actually I am out of selection for the Mali game because of this light injury but I know that should Zimbabwe qualify for the next stage, which I am hoping we will do, I think I would have had enough rest and will join the guys for training ahead of the semi-final. If the pain persists, I won’t force myself because there are lots of matches to be played during the year and I wouldn’t want to hurt myself further,” said Sibanda.
The Entumbane-bred striker who confirmed that he has agreed contractual terms with Highlanders said hard work and the desire to continue writing their own piece of history is driving the Warriors to do well in the tournament.
Sibanda played as a ghost striker coming from midfield supporting How Mine’s Simba Sithole before the latter made way for his namesake from Dynamos against Mali.
He is confident that Zimbabwe will beat Mali tomorrow.
“Morale and confidence have grown stronger with each passing day in camp. The fact that we are yet to concede gives the guys that sense of belief and makes everyone give their best in trying to score. We played goalless draws against Morocco and Uganda and after scoring that solitary goal on Monday, we believe the goal drought has been broken and more goals are coming,” said Sibanda.
Depending on the formation that coach Ian Gorowa decides to use, the defence quartet of Eric Chipeta, captain Partson Jaure, Milton Ncube and Hardlife Zvirekwi is likely to be retained with Danny “Deco” Phiri being the anchorman while Kudakwashe Mahachi, Masimba Mambare and maybe Peter “Rio” Moyo or Tawanda Muparati would complete the midfield line up.
Moyo was voted man-of-the-match when Zimbabwe beat Burkina Faso to make it into the last eight. Nelson Maziwisa, Donald Ngoma and the two Sitholes will battle it out for the two striking slots.
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