The Sunday Mail
Makomborero Mutimukulu
Libya-BASED striker Edward “Duduza” Sadomba has confirmed his availability for next Sunday’s 2015 Afcon first round, second leg qualifier against Tanzania.Sadomba missed last weekend’s 0-1 loss to the Taifa Stars due to club commitments, but yesterday the Al Ahly Benghazi man declared himself available.
“I will be there, definitely,” he said.
The former Dynamos forward disclosed that a series of “heart to heart” telephone conversations with national team coach Ian “Dibango” Gorowa have left him feeling rejuvenated as far as the Warriors are concerned.
Sadomba, for all his exploits in the Caf Champions League, is yet to hit his stride in national team colours.
With the country blessed with an array of attacking talent, the Agatha Sheneti Academy graduate has over the years seen himself behind the likes of Knowledge Musona and Nyasha Mushekwi in the pecking order.
A couple of snubs by previous national team coaches are believed to have also left him pondering on his Warriors future.
However, the 30-year-old striker revealed how a phone call from Gorowa reignited his national team fire.
Speaking from Sudan, where his Al Ahly Benghazi squared up against Esperance in a Caf Champions League group tie last night, Sadomba declared himself ready to repay the trust Gorowa has shown in him.
“We didn’t speak much when the coach called me, but the few words he said left me convinced that he can turn me into a better player,” he said.
“Dibango said to me ‘I need you and I know you have what it takes’. Now that is something that every player wants to hear . . . everyone needs a coach who believes in them.
“The past couple of weeks have been hectic with the Champions League matches and the league programme, but there is no way I cannot turn up for national duty . . . I have to be there and I will be there as soon as I can.
“From here (Sudan), I will fly to Libya to pick up my bags and fly back home,” he said.
Sadomba, who is the leading scorer in the Libyan league with 16 goals, expressed confidence that the Warriors will overturn the one goal deficit and book a ticket to the second round.
“I followed reports on the Tanzania game and heard what the coach said and I’m confident that we will get the result we need. Everyone has to believe and declare that it is possible and it shall be done. In football you have to utilise home advantage . . . Tanzania did just that and we have to do the same as well,” he said.
Sadomba, who has four Champions League goals to his credit, can play as a winger or an outright striker.
However, with Gorowa noting that the Warriors lacked a man who ran at the Taifa Stars defence in Dar es Salam last weekend, the speedy forward will most likely be used as an out and out striker.
“The coach knows best, but I play as a striker at club level and feel at home in that position,” said Sadomba.
Gorowa, on his part, strongly believes Sadomba’s continental experience can make a difference for the Warriors.
