Zhokinyu eyes Warriors call-up

Sukoluhle Ndlovu
ASIAGATE convict Guthrie Zhokinyu is pushing hard for a Warriors call-up having been given a chance to resuscitate his career at Triangle. Zhokinyu was banned by the previous Zifa board on allegations of match fixing and spent close to four years in the wilderness.

His ban was rescinded by the Philip Chiyangwa-led board last year. The tough tackling defender found a home at

Triangle where he has shown that he hasna��t lost the grittiness of the past.

The former Dynamos captain says his career was disturbed at a time he was at his peak and cementing his place in the national team. He would like to rekindle his love with the Warriors.

a�?I was banned at a time when I was becoming a regular in the national team. My love affair with the national team was abruptly ended by the ban. I still want to play for the national team,a�? said Zhokinyu.

Age might have caught up with him but the Triangle captain feels ita��s not a factor as at 33 some players will be using experience and maturity to cover up for the waning pace.

a�?At 33 my age is a prime time in football. If you looked at the just ended Euro 2016 in France the likes of Evra, Pepe, Bakary Sagna are the same age as me. The most important thing is how you keep yourself in shape. Even during the time I was banned, I kept training so that I maintain my athleticism,a�? he said.

The former Shooting Stars defender who at his peak was nicknamed a�?Tollgatea�? said the conducive environment at Triangle would help him realise his dream of donning the gold and green jersey again.

a�?The coaches and teammates here have given me tremendous support. I am enjoying my game again and with that I will be able to win a recall to the national team again,a�? he said. .