The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
MIDFIELD hard man Danny “Deco” Phiri has been a consistent feature in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign that has seen Warriors coach Kallisto Pasuwa chop and change his starting XI for every match.
The reigning Soccer Star of the Year, who has started three of Zimbabwe’s matches in addition to one substitute appearance, believes the time has come for the side to once again dine at the top table of African football.
The Warriors will qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations finals if they beat Malawi at the National Sports on June 5 and Guinea fail to beat Swaziland in Mbabane.
“We have a fighting chance, it is still in our hands because we just have to beat Malawi and listen to the news from the other match,” said the Chicken Inn skipper.
“The Malawi game is a make or break affair, the fans should rally behind us like they did when we thumped Swaziland 4-0 in our last encounter.
“I am nearing 30, so it will be good for me if we qualify for the finals. I know I can still be there for one or two more Afcon campaigns but I feel this is the chance for me to make my debut at such a prestigious competition.”
The 27-year-old midfield enforcer, who came on as an 84th minute substitute when the Warriors walloped Swaziland 4-0 on Easter Monday, has been a key member of Kallisto Pasuwa’s engine room, playing twin D-Link with Zimbabwe skipper Willard Katsande.
He started in all the three matches preceding the Swaziland rout.
For the home clash against Sihlangu, Pasuwa opted to start with rising Holland-based central linkman Marvellous Nakamba.
Phiri believes the competition for jerseys in the midfield department will bring the best out of the players.
“That is the kind of competition we should have in a national team. If the coach selects me for the Malawi squad I am prepared to play whichever role he gives me.
“Competition is healthy; it brings out the best out of the players. Nakamba played ahead of me in that home game against Swaziland and he did well, he controlled things and the team won 4-0.
“At the end of the day, the collective goal is to qualify for the Afcon finals. It’s never about individuals, the team always comes first. That is the approach since the day we played away to Malawi and it has served us well,” said Phiri.
Phiri has fully recovered from an Achilles tendon injury that nagged him at the beginning of the year and has been featuring regularly in the Gamecocks’ bid to retain the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title.
He is one of several Chicken Inn players linked with a move to South Africa’s Absa Premiership.
Kuda Mahachi’s Golden Arrows lead the race for his signature while former coach Joey “Mafero” Antipas has hinted at roping in Phiri as his begins life as coach of National First Division side Amazulu.
