adminMALVERN GAKI dazzled and captain Wisdom Mutasa scored the solitary goal that made the difference.
Those are the much talked about story lines from the Young Warriors’ 1-0 victory over Cameroon in the first leg of an All Africa Games second round qualifier at Rufaro on Sunday.
However, those with a more analytical eye must have been pleasantly surprised by a powerfully built but hitherto unknown player going by the name Gerald “Cheese boy” Takwara, who imperiously slotted into the defensive midfield role.
Unlike the rest of his starting XI counterparts who went into the Cameroon duel boasting both Premiership and continental football experience, coach Kallisto Pasuwa’s 21-year-old midfield workhorse — who is on the books of Tsholotsho FC — plunged into battle head first with only schools and lower division football to speak of.
Consequently, many gave the DC Academy product little chance to thrive save for his mother Silindiwe, elder brother Simon — himself a former left back with Eagles and Blue Ribbon — and elder sister Santana.
Takwara, however, stood with authority as the midfield pivot, going into and winning physical contests against opponents who are internationally acclaimed for their physical game. Takwara’s solid show afforded fellow midfielders Mutasa and Praise Tonha the freedom to venture upfront in search of glory.
The Young Warriors, who regroup tomorrow for the return leg away in Yaoundé in a fortnight, now require Takwara’s solidity as they bid to restrict the West Africans in their own backyard.
It’s a challenge which assistant coach Saul Chaminuka says is not beyond his boys.
“We need to beat them in their own backyard to show that we have a winning character, but we have to be at our best to achieve this. I have heard them saying they will field a stronger team for the return leg, but this does not worry us because we also have excellent players like Gerald whom you highlighted.
“He (Takwara) is one player with positional discipline, something which is a pre-requisite for the position that he plays, and with his imposing frame I have no doubt that he will end up playing in Europe very soon,” said Chaminuka.
Takwara is not fazed with the prospect of facing the injured lions in their backyard and backed Chaminuka’s war cry.
“They must have been surprised with the way we played, but they are better off advised that we can actually do better than that. When we go there we will not carry the slender victory we recorded at home on the back of our minds, but will play a new ball game altogether and I don’t see anything stopping us from beating them.
“Playing for the Young Warriors has been the major highlight of my career so far, but I still have bigger dreams like playing for the senior team,” said Takwara.
Online Reporter