Warriors’-in-laws

19 May, 2019 - 00:05 0 Views

The Sunday Mail

Langton Nyakwenda

As soon as his name was included on the 34-man Africa Cup of Nations provisional squad last Tuesday, returning Warrior Tafadzwa “Fire” Rusike was quick to make a phone call to his brother-in-law Ronald Pfumbidzai.

Pfumbidzai, who is also part of Sunday “Mhofu” Chidzambwa’s enlarged squad for both the Nations Cup and the COSAFA tournament, wedded Rusike’s sister, Graduate, in August 2017.

The in-laws also shared the same dressing room at CAPS United before they took separate paths in August 2017, with Pfumbidzai joining Bloemfontein Celtic of South Africa and Rusike moving to Zambia.

Rusike, who turned 30 on May 7, bounces back into the Warriors set up after a six-year absence, thanks to his resurgence in the Zambian Super League where he has been a key figure for Zanaco, who are currently third on the log table.

“First of all I want to thank God, I couldn’t wait to play for my national team. I have been praying each and every day to get a call up,” Rusike told The Sunday Mail Sport from his base in Zambia.

Rusike comes in to complement Kudakwashe Mahachi and Talent Chawapiwa, the natural left footers in the Warriors attacking line and the former CAPS United and Dynamos winger feels he can add value to Chidzambwa’s squad.

“Yeah, I think I can (add value), so far I have been playing well in Zambia so I just need to do more for my country,” said Rusike, who has scored 11 goals since joining Zanaco.

Rusike is one of the three Zambian based players called into the Warriors camp, with the other two being Dennis Dauda of Lusaka Dynamos and Jimmy Dzingai of Power Dynamos.

And a lot has been happening for Rusike’s brother-in-law, Pfumbidzai, whose stock has risen immensely in the last two years.

He played CAF Champions League football with CAPS United in 2017 and married his sweetheart Graduate just before sealing a move to the ABSA Premiership. He is now an integral part of the national team.

The 24-year-old Pfumbidzai, who made 17 starts and scored two goals for Celtic in the just ended season, could face Africa’s deadliest winger Mohamed Salah when Zimbabwe date hosts Egypt in the opening game the tournament on June 21.

“Salah plays for Liverpool, who are in the UEFA Champions League final and is one of the best in the world right now but personally, I am not thinking about him, I am focusing on how I can improve my game.

“Come the 21st of June, that is when I will say yeah, here is Salah what can I do with him. But I am confident of my abilities,” said Pfumbidzai.

He also spoke about his brother-in-law, Rusike.

“He is very happy, we spoke about it (call up). I just hope and pray that he makes the final team for AFCON. It will be a special moment for both of us.

“To me Rusike is a friend, when we are at work we are at work. But when we are home, he becomes my brother-in-law.

“So it would be good if we are to get a chance to shine on the big stage. The AFCON finals are an opportunity for us as Zimbabwean players to market ourselves,” Pfumbidzai said.

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