The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
WHEN medic Shephard Tsiga got his first Warriors call-up ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Cameroon, he first considered the task too big for him.
For a moment, he thought of turning down the offer.
He could not picture himself rubbing shoulders with some world-renowned footballers in the Warriors camp.
It had to take words of encouragement from his wife for him to take up the task.
Tsiga is a member of the ambulance section in the Harare City Council’s fire brigade.
Away from his main duties, he also spends time as team medic for the municipality’s volleyball and basketball sides.
Given his association with volleyball and basketball, he could not have dreamt of undertaking an international tour of duty with Zimbabwe’s flagship sporting team — the senior men’s football side.
He travelled as the senior team’s Covid-19 compliance officer.
His responsibilities involved routinely testing every member of the delegation and sanitising the team.
But, initially, he feared he could fell short of the demands of the job.
“At first, I was actually ecstatic and very excited. It felt good to be recognised for national duty, but when they (ZIFA) unpacked my job description, I became increasingly anxious,” recalls Tsiga.
“I went home to give myself time to reflect. I considered declining the offer but my wife had to talk me out of it. She encouraged me to go for it.”
Despite being an expert in his field, his biggest fear was not being able to measure up to expectations from high-profile players.
“You see, this is the national team, there is no room for error because everybody in the country has their eyes and ears on them . . . that was my biggest fear.
“I knew I could do my job well but that fear which comes with an appointment at the highest level and having to nurse our big stars, some of whom I had never met in person, was too much.”
His first day in camp, where he had to test each member of the Warriors as they checked in, would remain etched in his memory.
“As I saw them walk in, it felt surreal . . . I tested everyone, including the big names. Seeing them live and testing them was a momentous experience,” he said.
“But with time we got used to each other, because the bubble was very tight . . . so we got to know each other and I settled in well.
“Being my first time in the Warriors’ camp with international stars, I did not know what to expect, but the guys were very friendly.
“I was shocked to learn that these big names are very humble and also that coaches are always under pressure . . . fans have no idea.”
“Medic Tsiga’’, as he is affectionately known by teams he has worked with, also spoke of his first assignment in Cameroon as the Warriors got their Group B campaign underway.
“I was trembling and praying deep down in my heart asking for God’s guidance. I am happy everything went well.
“I kept recalling my wife’s words as she said, ‘this is your time, do not put yourself under pressure, just do your normal best knowing in your heart that it is your day to make history, so go and shine, man’.”
To his satisfaction and that of team doctors Edward Chagonda and Nick Munyonga, they had a clean bill of health throughout the campaign.
The Warriors did not have any player or official that was sidelined due to Covid-19 due as a result of strict testing and observance of health protocols.
