Chronicle Editor
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Warriors’ duo of midfielder Kudakwashe Mahachi and striker Knox Mutizwa were on target at the weekend for their South African clubs, giving national team coach Sunday Chidzambwa something to smile about as the must-win Afcon qualifier against Congo draws near.
Zimbabwe top Group G and are set to host Congo in their final qualifier at the National Sports Stadium on March 24.
Chidzambwa is expected to announce his provisional dominated by foreign-based players for the qualifier since the domestic season is yet to start and players are not match fit.
Chidzambwa is monitoring the foreign-based players and will be pleased to note that the bulk that have been regulars in the Warriors’ 2019 Afcon campaign were active at their respective clubs.
Mahachi scored the equaliser for Orlando Pirates when the Soweto giants came from behind to stylishly hammer AmaZulu 4-1 on Saturday night.
The former Highlanders, Bantu Rovers and Chicken Inn winger played for 76 minutes before making way for Mpho Makola.
Defender Marshal Munetsi played the entire game for Orlando Pirates against AmaZulu and so did winger Talent Chawapiwa for Usuthu.
Ovidy Karuru and Butholezwe Ncube were not in the AmaZulu matchday squad.
Mutizwa was on target for Golden Arrows in their 1-1 draw away to Chippa United. National team left-back Devine Lunga, who has been in terrific form for Arrows, was voted man-of-the-match and played the entire game alongside defensive midfielder, Danny Phiri.
Both Lunga and Phiri missed the Warriors’ last game, a 0-1 loss to Liberia in November last year, due to injury.
Ronald Pfumbidzai played the entire game as his Bloemfontein Celtics lost 2-3 to Free State Stars.
Former Chicken Inn and Caps United striker Mitchelle Katsvairo was on the Free State Stars bench.
Striker Evans Rusike and defender Onismo Bhasera’s Supersport United lost 1-2 to Elvis Chipezeze’s Baroka FC.
The 2018 Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year Rodwell Chinyengetere also played the full game for Baroka.
Chipezeze has been a revelation for Baroka, playing almost all their league games since joining the South African side from Chicken Inn in 2018.
Warriors’ goalkeeper George Chigova, defender Teenage Hadebe and midfielder Khama Billiat were in action in Polokwane City’s 1-1 draw against Kaizer Chiefs.
Ex-FC Platinum midfielder Walter Musona and Charlton Mashumba were in the starting line-up for Chigova’s Polokwane City.
There was no starting place for Warriors’ goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda when his South Africa First Division club Witbank Spurs drew 1-1 against Richards Bay.
In Europe, midfielder Marvelous Nakamba was an unused substitute for Belgian champions Club Bruggge’s 2-2 draw against Anderlecht.
Nakamba is yet to start a game in six outings, having last played a full game on January 27 when Club Brugge beat KV Oostende 2-1.
Warriors’ skipper Knowledge Musona was on the losing end despite playing a full game for Lokeren against Royal Excel Mouscron in Belgium.
– @ZililoR.
Online Reporter