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Tadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter
WARRIORS star Jordan Zemura is back to his best after recovering from a long injury lay-off and the 22-year-old says he is raring to go ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations which begins on January 9 in Cameroon.
The Bournemouth left-back spent over six weeks on the sidelines after injuring his ankle in an English Championship match against Reading at the end of October.
He has, however, bounced back with a bang and on Thursday night helped the Cherries to a cruising 3-0 victory over Cardiff City in a match he was given a 70 percent rating despite a slow start after an awkward slip.
With the Scott Parker charges leading the standings, Zemura is walking with a spring in his step and yesterday reckoned he wanted to make the AFCON a memorable tournament for him.
“Recovery is the most important thing and the only way you can be at your best for whatever is next, that’s the way I see it,” said Zemura.
“If I put myself in the best physical place, I’ll be ready to perform at a top level. The excitement is so much I can’t even hide it; any time I hear the words AFCON, I’m beaming like a Cheshire Cat as I can’t wait to play in this prestigious tournament.”
He said Zimbabwe, like all the other 23 teams at this biannual event which was postponed twice due to weather and Covid-19, stand a good chance of progressing to the late stages of the fiesta.
“I feel our chances are as good as anyone else. We have to fight for the country, fight for each other and push each other to get to the top, I feel we will (perform well) and with everyone’s support it’ll be a tournament to remember for sure!”
The 22-year-old will be making his debut at the jamboree along with 17 of the 23 players who will be doing duty for the country in Cameroon.
Only captain Knowledge Musona, Kuda Mahachi, Alec Mudimu, Onismor Bhasera, Teenage Hadebe and Tino Kadewere have been to this tournament before out of the Warriors lot.
Zemura, who has been used as a left-sided midfielder in all the four times he has turned out for Zimbabwe, is expected to fly out of England and join up with the rest of the Warriors squad in Cameroon after the game against Peterborough on Monday.
While 18 players are already in the West African country, Zemura, Musona, Kadewere, Admiral Muskwe and David Moyo will join in later as they had to fulfill the festive season assignments with their clubs in Europe.
And Parker yesterday said he had made an agreement with Zimbabwean authorities to have Zemura for the clash against Peterborough on Monday before he leaves for Cameroon.
According to Dorset live, it had been thought that Thursday’s fixture against Cardiff would be Zemura’s last game for the Cherries before he leaves for international duty.
But Parker said the Zimbabwean talisman will instead wait until after Monday’s fixture.
“He will leave after the Peterborough game. He will leave after Monday’s game, which is good for us and I also think is good for Jordan (Zemura) and his national team (the Warriors).
“He’s not played (due to injury) and he’s been out for a little while now, so it gives him competitive football for the next three, four games.
“I think he was meant to have gone earlier but obviously, he came to an agreement with Zimbabwe to let him play in these competitive games and get more football in him, if he’s selected. And then he will leave after Peterborough.”
Zimbabwe kick off their AFCON campaign against Senegal on January 10, exactly a week after Zemura’s last Bournemouth’s appearance. They also face Malawi (January 14) and Guinea (January 18) in their final two group games.
Online Reporter