Sports / Soccer
Seasoned hitman replaces Musona for the Liberia match
31 Aug 2011 at 06:23hrs | Views
SEASONED Dynamos and former Highlanders hitman Cuthbert Malajila has been recalled to the Warriors ahead of Zimbabwe's decisive African Cup of Nations Group A qualifier against Liberia at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
With talisman Knowledge Musona effectively ruled out of the game after it became apparent that the TSG Hoffenheim forward would not be fit in time for the game, coach Norman Mapeza and his assistant Joey Antipas roped in DeMbare's Malajila yesterday.
The former Chapungu and Highlanders striker who is in his second spell at Dynamos after an aborted stay in trouble-torn Libya immediately joined the Warriors as the senior team's preparations moved a gear up at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
With Musona out and Mamelodi Sundowns' Nyasha Mushekwi suspended, Mapeza had been left with two recognisable strikers - rookie Simba Sithole and Al Hilal's Edward Sadomba.
The Warriors coach then settled for the natural option that appeared to be at his disposal and turned on the experienced Malajila.
Malajila's Warriors credentials had never been in doubt but it was the striker's forced inactivity that had been keeping him out of the reckoning for national duty.
But when he resumed competitive action following his return to DeMbare, Malajila showed he had lost none of his appetite for goals by scoring twice in three games and also bringing the cutting edge that has breathed life into the Glamour Boys' Premiership campaign.
Mapeza also noted that Malajila was no stranger to the Warriors set-up with the striker having been part of the squad that travelled to Bamako, Mali for the Warriors third Group A game.
Meanwhile, Vusa and Quincy's flight from South Africa was delayed so they should be in by tonight.
While the Warriors moved a gear up in their preparations, the bulk of the Liberians, their confidence boosted following their triumph over Cape Verde arrived in the capital yesterday.
The smaller batch of the Lone Star contingent, which included South African based skipper Anthony Laffor flew in on Monday but the bigger chunk of their delegation which included coach Roberto Landi and Liberia Football Association second vice-president Adolph Lawrence arrived yesterday.
Lone Star assistant coach Jean Jacobs said they were relishing their outside chance of qualification and resolved to fight to the end of the campaign.
With talisman Knowledge Musona effectively ruled out of the game after it became apparent that the TSG Hoffenheim forward would not be fit in time for the game, coach Norman Mapeza and his assistant Joey Antipas roped in DeMbare's Malajila yesterday.
The former Chapungu and Highlanders striker who is in his second spell at Dynamos after an aborted stay in trouble-torn Libya immediately joined the Warriors as the senior team's preparations moved a gear up at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
With Musona out and Mamelodi Sundowns' Nyasha Mushekwi suspended, Mapeza had been left with two recognisable strikers - rookie Simba Sithole and Al Hilal's Edward Sadomba.
The Warriors coach then settled for the natural option that appeared to be at his disposal and turned on the experienced Malajila.
Malajila's Warriors credentials had never been in doubt but it was the striker's forced inactivity that had been keeping him out of the reckoning for national duty.
But when he resumed competitive action following his return to DeMbare, Malajila showed he had lost none of his appetite for goals by scoring twice in three games and also bringing the cutting edge that has breathed life into the Glamour Boys' Premiership campaign.
Mapeza also noted that Malajila was no stranger to the Warriors set-up with the striker having been part of the squad that travelled to Bamako, Mali for the Warriors third Group A game.
Meanwhile, Vusa and Quincy's flight from South Africa was delayed so they should be in by tonight.
While the Warriors moved a gear up in their preparations, the bulk of the Liberians, their confidence boosted following their triumph over Cape Verde arrived in the capital yesterday.
The smaller batch of the Lone Star contingent, which included South African based skipper Anthony Laffor flew in on Monday but the bigger chunk of their delegation which included coach Roberto Landi and Liberia Football Association second vice-president Adolph Lawrence arrived yesterday.
Lone Star assistant coach Jean Jacobs said they were relishing their outside chance of qualification and resolved to fight to the end of the campaign.
Source - TH
