The Sunday Mail
Ishemunyoro Chingwere – Sports Reporter
IF there is a player who is capable of single-handedly carrying Harare City to Chibuku Super Cup glory, it is the towering Francesco Zekumbawire.
Yes, this is the same player who a year ago was deregistered by league champions Dynamos after struggling with both form and injury half-way into his season-long loan from Hwange.
It is the same forward in whom reigning Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Coach of the Year Bigboy Mawiwi had very little faith, freezing him out of the Sunshine Boys’ side at a time the team desperately needed a hero.
Speedster Martin Vengesayi, Osborn Mukuradare and Agrippa Murimba were all ahead of the 24-year-old in Mawiwi’s pecking order.
How things have changed!
Given a new lease of life by Masimba Dinyero, who took over the reins at City after the departure of Mawiwi, the former Warriors trialist, who has earned himself the moniker “Totti” — after legendary AS Roma and Italy forward Francisco Totti — has not disappointed. He has not only won plaudits as the leading light at City, but as one of the best performers in the league, winning himself the September/October PSL player of the month.
The municipal side largely owes its place in today’s final to “Totti”, who turned on the power against Highlanders in the semifinals, scoring one and inspiring his team to a 3-0 win.
The gangly striker had earlier on dispatched the same Highlanders side in a league match, scoring the only goal of the match.
Embattled Dinyero is aware that if ever his side is to make an impact, then Zekumbawire must play the part of the hero.
“He has been playing very well. The second half of the season has been very good for him and I hope he can maintain the standard in the remaining fixtures. He is going to play in the final, he is our match-winner at the moment,” Dinyero told journalists last week.
Despite the rave reviews, Zekumbawire remains grounded and is fully focused on doing his “small part” to help his side against FC Platinum.
“I really thank the coaches who have been pushing me very hard at training and during games. I think it is one of the reasons I am currently enjoying my game. The coach might have said that I am the match-winner, but personally I think it’s all about team work.
“Last season was a very challenging year for me and I never managed to prove my capabilities at Dynamos. But that is football for you; the good thing is I have made a full recovery and I am doing my small part to help the team.
“We will be up against a very good side in the final and it is going to be very difficult, but we will give it a good fight. If the team puts in 100 percent effort, we will surely win the trophy,” said Zekumbawire, who also vowed that Harare City would not be relegated at the end of the season.
The striker has steadily ascended to the form which saw Hwange slapping a massive US$130 000 price tag on him at the start of the 2013 season.
Can he deliver the Chibuku Super Cup?
