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| Perfect Chikwende |
Perfect, all perfect for the
Warriors
Clayton Shereni
Not
only is he a goal poacher, he is a perfect attacking midfielder whose prowess
and consistency has been superb over the last few seasons and he has taken the
same form to the national team.
While
some may have doubted his inclusion in the starting XI, for the Warriors,
Perfect Chikwende was just a marvel to watch, even without the team’s priceless
gem Marvelous Nakamba behind him.
The
27-year-old attacking midfielder and former FC Platinum golden boy was the hero
of the night and will surely have his name written in history books for not
only sinking the Zebras of Botswana, but for his perfect goal which secured an
Afcon finals spot for Zimbabwe with a game to spare.
The
goal which came in the 15th minute resulted from a rebound after a
superbly curled Knowledge Musona free kick was spilt by the Botswana goalie.
Chikwende
headed in the rebound and the goal was enough to seal Botswana’s fate in their
own backyard.
Chikwende,
whose career could have collapsed when he was embroiled in a transfer saga when Bulawayo Chiefs and his former paymaster Pure Platinum
Play fought over his sale to Tanzanian giants Simba SC, will surely be
remembered for his solitary goal.
The
diminutive versatile midfield maestro who sank his current paymaster with a
single strike at the giant National Sports Stadium did a perfect job and
shuttered the Zebras Afcon dream.
Chikwende
has relieved pressure and probably bought time for the Croat gaffer, Zdravko
Logarusic who was sitting on a ticking time bomb for producing a spate for poor
results.
The
win at Francistown Stadium was a historic moment for the nation, Logarusic,
captain fantastic Knowledge Musona, goalie Talbert Shumba and Chikwende who was
just perfect on the night.
Zimbabwe
have qualified for Afcon for the third successive time and this time but it is
the second time the team has booked a place with a game to spare.
Logarusic
made history by becoming the first foreign gaffer to take charge of a Warriors
side which has qualified for the Nations Cup slated for next year in Cameroon.
The
Smiling Assasin, Musona led with finesse and flair, causing all sorts of
problems as he made sure the side pick maximum points making him the first
Captain to lead the Warriors to a third successive Afcon finals.
Logarusic
trusted Nkana FC goal minder, Shumba ahead of Martin Mapisa and veteran
Highlanders captain Ariel Sibanda to guard the posts and he did a solid job by
keeping a clean sheet on the night.
Veteran
midfielder Ovidy Karuru aka Masvingo Mosquito provided the much needed
experience in the middle of the park.
The
hero of the day Chikwende and for his name’s sake, he was a perfect player to
fill in the gap in the Warriors fold on his debut.
It
was a critical match which needed caution, dedication and the players did so as
they played for the badge and the pride of the nation.
Zimbabwe
qualified as the runners up after the desert foxes of Algeria who lead the pack
in Group H.
Although
they have qualified, the Warriors will have to finish their group fixture on a
high note when they date Chipolopolo at National Sports on Monday 29, 2021.
The
big question however still remains if Loga will break the jinx at the Total
Africa Cup of Nations to become the first coach to lead a Zimbabwean side which
progresses to the knockout stage?
