Hadebe’s tribute to late mom

By Chipo Sabeta

Teenage Hadebe has admitted he played with a heavy heart on Sunday following his mother’s death on Workers Day.

The Chicken Inn defender was given the nod to start in Warriors 3-0 win over Liberia on Sunday.

And after the match, Hadebe took off his jersey to remain with a T-shirt with a message and his mum’s picture.

“It’s been a difficult time for me. I lost my mum on May 25 and it has been very difficult emotionally. She just collapsed and died near our home. I was in camp ahead of Highlanders game and preparing for the match.

“She was a very important person in my life and will always be important to me. After she died, I was off for a week.

“Since I came back, slowly I have started to feel better and to feel I can play for the team again. It was a big step to be playing in the national team.

“Now I have to think only about the good things and to keep working and keep playing. That’s all I want to do,” he said.

Hadebe explained the message on his t-shirt. “I did it for many reasons. It was a way to remember her. I don’t usually publicise my personal life so the message and picture was all I needed to carry for the 90 minutes.

Asked on what gaffer Norman Mapeza tipped him before the match, Hadebe said: “The coach told me that I was starting. He said I had played games at national level and there was no need to panic.”

The lanky defender had a stable first half but he made a blunder that nearly gifted Liberia an equaliser.

“It’s one of those things. My performance in the first half was ok except for that moment. It was unfortunate, my right foot is not that strong. I missed the ball and thank God we were not punished,” he explained.

Hadebe also spoke about his partnership with Ngezi Platinum stars skipper Partson Jaure.

“It was our first game together. “I know him and his game. He is someone I have just watched but we had a good game. It’s all about understanding each other and communication. H-Metro