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Tadious Manyepo

Sports Reporter

WARRIORS defender Godknows Murwira says being part of the Africa Cup of Nations is something he has always dreamt about.

Murwira had never been part of the national team at any tournament and was almost giving up until he was named in the team that did duty in the final two rounds of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Ethiopia.

He sat on the bench for the entire match against South Africa which Zimbabwe lost 0-1 at the FNB Stadium but he was thrown into the fray in the last game against Ethiopia. He was not the outstanding home player but his forward forays from the right-back position he was deployed should have convinced coach Norman Mapeza to include the stocky player in the 23-member AFCON squad.

The Dynamos man is now relishing the opportunity to represent the country at the biannual tournament which kicks-off on January 9 in Cameroon.

“For me, well, this is like a dream, I feel like I am still dreaming even if I know for sure that I am actually in Cameroon where the tournament is taking place,” said Murwira.

“I am very happy and excited to be part of the 23 players that have been assigned to do duty for the country. There is no better feeling like being part of the national team.

“I know, this is the ultimate aim for any player in the world, to represent their national teams and for me to have been given this opportunity means the world.

“I have played cameo roles for the Warriors previously and I have never been to any tournament with the Warriors and I am overwhelmed to have been included in a team that is to play in the biggest tournament in Africa.”

The 27-year-old said he is ready to play a part and help Zimbabwe progress beyond the group stages.

“I want to thank the technical team who showed faith in me, I am very much humbled. I know the team has 23 players and if I get a chance to play, well I will do the best I can to try and help my country in fighting for this badge.

“It’s about team work at the end of the day. We are in Cameroon not to make numbers and this is the ideal that every member of the team has in their minds. We share the same common vision as a team and I am sure everyone is raring to go. We will take each game as it comes and at the moment we are focusing on grasping the concepts the coaches are inculcating to us.

“As a country, we have been there before and I think the foundation has been laid firmly for the current crop to try and breach the group stages barrier.

“We need to progress from the group first and see what follows. Our first game against Senegal is very crucial. You know with these opening games, they are the ones with a key bearing on what the tournament holds as it unfolds. We know they are a powerhouse in African football with all those superstars in their ranks. But, we have what it takes. We have a group that is raring to go, a group that looks very much hungry and we will throw everything, leaving everything on the pitch.

“We need to come from this game with something, definitely. We are working hard every day and we believe we will come out good not just in the first game but in the tournament.”

Zimbabwe, who are in Group B, play Senegal on January 10 before they face-off against Malawi and Guinea on January 14 and January 18 respectively.

Mapeza will be under pressure to deliver as he is yet to win any game since taking over from Croatian gaffer Zdravko Logarusic.