The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS coach Bongani Mafu might not be a favourite at Barbourfields where the majority of fans still doubt his ability to revive Bosso into a dominant force again.
However, the lyrically gifted and highly qualified gaffer should be given credit for cloning one of the most feared strikers in the league today from being a winger.
Highlanders’ leading scorer, with six goals in seven matches, Knox “Jome” Mtizwa played as a winger before Mafu converted him into a striker at the beginning of the season.
The 21-year-old Bosso juniors product is expected to make his Young Warriors debut when Zimbabwe host South Africa at Rufaro today.
With Harare City forward Tino Kadewere out injured, Mtizwa is one striker Young Warriors coach Kallisto Pasuwa can bank on.
Mtizwa’s stock has been on the rise, with his brace against Dynamos in a thrilling Battle of Zimbabwe clash at Rufaro on June 28 convincing Pasuwa he was worth a call-up.
“Coach Pasuwa has been telling me ‘Knox I want you to play and prove your worth’”, revealed the striker.
“It is very encouraging to hear such words from a respected coach like him.
“We have been working very hard; coach Pasuwa believes in hard work and he is such a dedicated coach. I am ready to repay the faith he has shown in me.”
The former Sikhulile High School student is itching to transfer his sizzling domestic form onto the international platform and pays tribute to the much-maligned Mafu.
“The arrival of Mafu has boosted my career in many ways; he changed me from a winger into a striker.
“It was during one of our Bosso sessions that he noticed my runs and the next thing he told me was ‘from now on, Knox, you will play as a striker’.
“He told me this was going to be my year to shine and now I want to translate that good league form to the national team,” he said.
