Roy Matiki
Warriors’ stylish midfielder Archford “Uche” Gutu, who plies his trade in Sweden for Kalmar FF, believes both him and his colleagues will finally come right today.
Gutu is likely to be re-called on the right side of midfield after he was benched in last week’s goal-less draw in Maputo and could redeem himself in front of the adoring fans who have always had faith in his abilities.

Rahman Gumbo’s charges need a win of at least one unanswered goal to extinguish Burundi’s challenge in the African Cup of Nations first round, second leg qualifier at the National Sports Stadium.
And Gutu, who signed a three-year contract with Kalmar FF, is seen as the man who can weave that magic with his indefatigable work rate, his long-searching and defence-splitting

passes and, best of all, his pinpoint accurate set-pieces.

At 19, the youngest player drafted into the Warriors squad by Rahman Gumbo alongside veteran Tinashe Nengomasha, Willard Katsande, Ovidy Karuru, Khama Billiart and Denver Mukamba, among other midfielders, it was Gutu who started against Guinea in the opening match of the Warriors winter fiesta.
It was the first match of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers and Gutu admits he did not perform according to his abilities.

His burning ambition is to atone for that disappointment afternoon by helping his country reach the final qualifying phase of the 2013 AFCON finals.
“I think we can reach South Africa for next year’s Afcon finals. We have talked about it as a team and everyone is dying to give it their best shot today,’’ said the soft-spoken linkman without giving hints on whether he will start.

Gutu is pitted against Khama Billiart for the right attacking midfield slot after both were dropped for being ineffective in the Guinea match.
Denver Mukamba, who has entered the fray as a substitute against both Guinea and Mozambique, is also eyeing to start in the position.
Gutu will be the first Warriors player to return to his base following today’s match as he flies out in the early hours of tomorrow to Sweden to re-join his side as the Swedish season is still under way.

“Our league season is currently under way and it concludes in November. When I left Sweden to join the national team, we were on position 12,” said Gutu.
He thanked his Swedish coach Nanne Bengrand and his two African team-mates Nigerian Abiola Dauda and Papa Diouf of Senegal, for helping him settle down at Kalmar FF,

who will this year feature in the continental Europa League.

The former Sprouting and Dynamos midfield genius expressed his delight at getting regular playing time at Kalmar FF, despite the Swedish league being physical, tactical and fast paced.

Gutu is looking at extending his horizons once his contract runs out in 2015 as he believes that Sweden is only a stepping stone in his professional career.
“I am eyeing a move to either England or France, but only after I have served my full contract at Kalmer FF,” noted Gutu.
Gutu has represented his beloved country in all national team age groups from the Under-17, 20 and 23. He has 16 caps in the senior national team and if he plays this afternoon against Burundi it would be cap number 17.

The former Dynamos midfielder will be playing in the 2012-2013 Europa Cup with his club Kalmar FF after finishing runners-up in last year’s edition of Sweden’s premier knock-out tournament, the Svenska Cup.
Gutu, who is most effective playing as central midfielder, is considered a utility player who can also be used as an attacking midfielder, playing behind the strikers.
With the France-based Karuru ruled out of today’s encounter, Gutu has been making his presence felt in the build-up and is not only looking sharp but also raring to go.