Who is Tatenda Munditi?

WHEN the Warriors begin preparations for next Sunday’s crucial 2017 African Nations Cup Group L qualifier against Guinea tomorrow, one rookie teenager will most probably feel out of place.

He has not started for his club this season and does not regularly make the final 18 for Harare City, but 17-year-old keeper Tatenda Munditi is part of a star studded Warriors squad that goes into camp tomorrow.

Warriors coach Kallisto Pasuwa surprised many, including Munditi himself, when he included the youngster in his squad.

The former Chemhanza High school boy is one of three goalkeepers in the Warriors squad, presumably behind veteran Washington Arubi and Chicken Inn’s underrated shot stopper Elvis Chipezeze in the pecking order.

However, anything can happen between now and the crunch tie.

This is football.

For some unknown reasons, the teenage Munditi might end up playing some role come Sunday.

Munditi – who only last year was playing Division One soccer with Mutare City -looks forward to mingling with high profile players like Knowledge Musona, Nyasha Mushekwi and Khama Billiat.

He is also determined to prove his worth.

“If you are called up for the national team you are not there to make up the numbers,” said the Harare City man.

“When I carry my kit bag on Monday morning (tomorrow), I will be going for work, to fight for a starting jersey.

“Anything can happen in football, I have to stay ready for duty. The fact that coach Pasuwa has called me shows the faith he has in me. It’s now up to me to prove that when called for duty I can perform.

“However, just being among these stars, some of them my heroes will be a dream come true for me. To imagine that I do not even make it into the starting X1 at Harare City makes it more amazing.”

Munditi might be the third choice at his club, behind veterans Tafadzwa Dube and Maxwell Nyamupanedengu, but his call-up ability does not surprise his trainer Witness Munkuli.

“He has a great future, he can easily become a top keeper in the country over the next two to three years. We are working towards that; he is the future here at City.

“He has got age on his side, I have been telling him to go there (Warriors) and challenge for the jersey and not to make up the numbers.

“As City we hail Pasuwa for such a decision, he is mixing experience with youth. At the same time he is grooming our player. We are proud that we have a keeper who has been recognised,” said the former Hwange and Caps United goalkeeper.

Munditi is one of the emerging players at Harare City alongside the likes of former schoolmates Tatenda Tumba and Jerry Chipangura.

Tumba is also a highly rated upcoming midfielder and together with Munditi they were selected for a prestigious Copa Coca Cola international soccer camp held in Brazil last year.

They had the rare opportunity to watch five-time world champions Brazil in action as superstar Neymar led the Selecao to a 3-1 win over Croatia in the opening match of the FIFA 2014 World Cup.

It’s a moment Munditi still savours.

“I can’t explain that feeling, I was overawed, I only started realizing I had been to Brazil, had watched the real superstars live action when we were back here.

“It gave me the drive, the desire to one day represent my country in front of such a huge crowd and in front of millions watching on TV,” said Munditi.