Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo in FRANCISTOWN, Botswana
MONGAMELI Tshuma has revealed the sheer shock he is in after witnessing a sudden turnaround in his status over the past fortnight.
The Highlanders midfielder scored for the Warriors on his debut when Zimbabwe beat Botswana 3-0 in the semi-final of the Four Nations Cup at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium on Saturday night.
Just two weeks ago, soon after his magical show against Dynamos in a 2-2 draw at Rufaro, Mongameli expressed his desire to one day represent the country at national team level.
“I never said now, I never saw it coming now,” he said.
“It was just a dream I was talking about. But thank God it has happened now.
“It’s so soon. But I am happy with this debut.”
The former Hwange man said when coach Mario Marinica called up the First XI for the Botswana tie, he was a bit shocked.
“When he called my name out, I was like, well here I am. I was both excited and frightened,” he said.
“But this is how it is. Football is always like that. Decisions have to be made and I was part of that decision.
“I just told myself that I was going to play without any pressure.
“My first touch came out well and everything started falling into place. I felt like I would score. The feeling was just very strong.”
He added:
“When I saw the delivery from Bill Antonio and Macauley Bonne rushing to make a decoy, I knew the time had come.
“I waited at my spot and everything just went the way I had predicted.
“The feeling was just overwhelming for someone like me and I had to rush and celebrate with the coach to say well here I am, the boy you trusted.”
Yet Mongameli might as well not have been in this position after two frustrating attempts to join Highlanders were foiled.
Starting as a kid in Bulawayo, he joined Zimbabwe Saints in the Southern Region Soccer League.
He claims Bosso wanted to sign him but Saints still derailed the move despite him having no contract with them.
That forced him to move to Zebras in Division 2 which he helped gain promotion into Division One, along with his Bosso teammate Tawanda Shenje.
Hwange noticed and signed the Number 10 in 2024, for two years.
Highlanders sent emissaries again but Hwange clung to their man until his contract ran out this year.
“I think the merry-go-round thing was necessary,” he said.
“I feel like I gained a lot before coming to Highlanders. Now, I can seamlessly fit into the Bosso system.”
He will be expected to play a huge role when the Warriors play Zambia in the final tomorrow.
Antonio, who also scored his first Warriors goal in that romp, said:
“I am happy for all the guys who have just joined the national team. I was trying to play well so they would be in a position to also perform well.
“If everything falls into place, I am happy and the country is happy.”
