Snubbed Chipezeze takes it all in his stride

By Mukudzei Chingwere

Goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze says the decision by Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambwa not to include him in the squad for the final AFCON qualifier against Congo-Brazzaville is a wake-up call for him to work even harder and win the attention of the veteran gaffer.

Chipezeze has impressed since moving to South African side Baroka and, already, there are reports he could be wooed by a bigger side in the South African Premiership.

Chidzambwa went for FC Platinum goalkeeper, Petros Mhari, who have been keeping goals for the Zvishavane side in the Champions League, as his third-choice keeper to join the regulars – George Chigova and Edmore Sibanda.

Chigova, who is the first-choice goalkeeper, and Sibanda, have both served their country in the current AFCON qualifiers.

Sibanda, though, is in mourning after he lost his seven-year-old son Edric, Tawanaysha, to a severe asthma attack.

But, rather than being dejected, Chipezeze says he wants to use all this to fuel him to do even better.

“In football, I think coaches need results more than anybody else, so when the coaches name squads, they want someone they are confident will certainly bring results,’’ he said.

“The is no way the coaches would have left me out of this game if they felt I was the best available option to bring good results. “I am working hard, as always, but being left out of the national team means there are aspects of my game I need to improve on and, for me, it is a challenge to continue working hard.

“I have confidence in the players that have been called by the coaches to achieve the target of getting the team to the African Cup of Nations finals and I am sure we will qualify.

“It has always been a dream to play for the national team and I think I have time to improve my game and be part of the team in Egypt and, hopefully, we will qualify.’’

Zimbabwe just need any result, barring a defeat, to book a second successive AFCON appearance. The Herald.