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Langton Nyakwenda
HE is the last man standing from the squad that reached the 2014 African Nations Championships semi finals in South Africa.
He is one of the few unfortunate local players who failed to attract the interest of foreign scouts at a time when the Warriors local ensemble captured the imagination of Africa with gutsy performances.
While the likes of George Chigova, Milton Ncube, Partson Jaure, Eric Chipeta, Kuda Mahachi and Simba Sithole all earned moves to the South African Absa Premiership on the back of that successful CHAN outing, Hardlife Zvirekwi was left out.
Despite his apparent talent and effectiveness on the right channel, a foreign move continues to elude this diminutive star whose skill was evident as early as his secondary school days at Mt Pleasant High in the early 2000s.
Now 28, Zvirekwi is back at the CHAN finals with a bigger responsibility as the Warriors’ captain.
This could be his last chance to showcase his talent to an international audience.
The Caps United utility player was handed the armband following the withdrawal of regular skipper, Danny “Deco” Phiri who has been ruled out due to an ankle injury.
Zvirekwi is relishing this opportunity and rightly so.
“This is a huge responsibility because all eyes will be on me. Obviously the nation will be looking up to me to inspire the players. On the field of play, the teammates will also expect me to lead by example,” he said.
“I have to show character, do the duty diligently and help the team succeed. The advantage is that I was part of the Warriors group that reached the semis in 2014 so I know the kind of competition to expect at this level.
“I want this group to do better than the Class of 2014.
“We have to go out there and fight for our nation’s pride. We have to win the trophy for our fans,” he said.
Zvirekwi played at right back under the tutelage of Ian Gorowa in 2014 in a back four that also included Jaure, Ncube and Chipeta.
He admits that they didn’t have the best of preparations in the run up to that historic tournament but the Warriors skipper has been impressed with the build up to the upcoming edition.
“Although everything cannot be 100 percent perfect, I think the players are happy. “We have a very conducive working environment and the players are concentrating on their job.“With this kind of environment, the onus is on us, the players, to fight tooth and nail in Rwanda.
“We promise to do well, we know, the pressure is on us to do better than the Class of 2014,” said Zvirekwi.
The Warriors lost 4-5 on penalties against Libya at the semi-final stage, a few days after they had shocked West African giants Mali 2-1 in the quarter-finals.
They have Mali in the same group this time around. Uganda is also in Group D but the fixture that has been worrying the Warriors most is their opener against northern neighbours Zambia on January 19.
Chipolopolo have added 2012 Afcon Cup winning captain and veteran Chris Katongo as well as Isaac Chansa, who was also part of that famous squad.
“As always, the Zambezi battle between Zimbabwe and Zambia is a battle to watch.
“We are going there with a no nonsense mood, we want to win our first game to set the tone for the tournament.
“As you know, Zambia has veterans in their squad, the likes of Katongo and Chansa, who have played at the highest level of African football. We respect them but that is not to say we are afraid of them.
“This is the group of death, there is no light opponent. We played Mali in 2014 and they are a very formidable side.
“Uganda is a rising force so there won’t be room for complacency,” said Zvirekwi who acknowledges that the 2016 finals could be his final chance to attract foreign interest.
“Given my age and where I have come from, this is my final chance to get a foreign move.
“Sometimes in life you take every opportunity as if you will not get another one, so I guess I have to give it my all and see what happens.”
Online Reporter