When Warriors go missing

THE Pasuwa household must be growing used to celebrating Christmas with the head of the house away from home.

Warriors coach Kallisto Pasuwa is away from home today as he is in the Ivory Coast on national duty and it’s not the first time he has gone “missing” on December 25 in recent years.

“It’s very unfortunate I won’t be there with the family on Christmas,” Pasuwa said on the sidelines of a function to unveil Net One’s sponsorship to the Warriors.

“But it’s not the first time that I won’t be at home on Christmas day. Remember last year this time I was busy preparing for the Chan finals in Rwanda

“I also went to the 2014 Chan finals as an assistant to Ian (Gorowa).

“There are also those four seasons we won the league title with Dynamos and it meant I could not relax as I had to prepare for (the CAF) Champions League.”

Pasuwa has devised a plan to make it up to the family.

“The family understands that football is our livelihood and they don’t have any complaints.

“Instead of celebrating early, I make it a point that I make it up for them on my return so they actually look forward to some goodies when I come back,” said Pasuwa.

Meanwhile, Warriors right back Hardlife Zvirekwi intends to borrow a leaf from Pasuwa’s book.

“It is not easy to be away from your family on a day like Christmas but we have a job to do and that job has to be done,” said Zvirekwi.

The 29-year-old Caps United man had planned a festive period to remember especially after a fruitful season in which he led Makepekepe to a first league title in 11 years.

Zvirekwi was also named the Caps United Player of the Year, a week after he was crowned the best performer for the 2016 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

However, duty called and Zvirekwi has special plans for wife Saru and three year old son Daniel when he returns from Ivory Coast.

“Since 2014 I haven’t had time with my wife Saru at Christmas because of Warriors commitments. As you are aware, the CHAN finals are normally held in January and we prepare in December,” said Zvirekwi, who recently committed his future to Caps United.

“After this Christmas I am pretty certain we will find a day that we go out and have a belated party with my wife and kid.”