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Hardlife Zvirekwi

Petros Kausiyo Deputy Sports Editor
ZIMBABWE coach Callisto Pasuwa has extended an olive branch to CAPS United right-back Hardlife Zvirekwi and reinstated the versatile player into the national team after pardoning him yesterday.

The Warriors have remained in camp in Bulawayo as they prepare to travel to Maseru on Friday for the second leg of their African Nations Championship final qualifier against Lesotho at Sesotso Stadium.

Pasuwa’s men took a giant step towards qualifying for a record forth CHAN finals tournament when they thumped Liquena (The Crocodiles) 3-1 at Barbourfields on Sunday with Dynamos forward Rodreck Mutuma sinking a brace while skipper Danny Phiri sealed the game late on.

The coach said yesterday that he was retaining the side that did duty at Barbourfields on Sunday. He also revealed that he had pardoned Zvirekwi and recalled him ahead of the trip to Maseru.

Zvirekwi was sent packing after reporting late for camp for the first leg together with centre-back and CAPS United teammate Justice Jangano.

Dynamos talismanic midfielder Ronald Chitiyo was also axed from the Warriors for similar indiscipline.

Pasuwa’s actions also received the backing of CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe who also maintained that discipline was the hallmark of successful players.

“I totally agree with coach Pasuwa because there are certain expectations that we have from players and if they stray out of line we take corrective measures.

“After the incident I sat down with Hardlife and spoke to him and told him he has the potential to do much better with his career.

“He also told me his side of the story but at the end of the day he knew that players were needed to be in camp on time and he wasn’t and the coach took the correct action,’’ Chitembwe said.

Pasuwa yesterday said Zvirekwi had shown remorse and wrote two letters of apology for his actions.

“Hardlife wrote two letters of apology and pledged that he would not repeat what he did last week and I have said let us give him a chance.

“Like I said he is a senior player who should lead by example especially in this team that has a lot of Under-23 players who look up to him.

“I am glad he has realised his mistakes and let us open a new chapter now as we prepare for the second leg in Maseru,’’ Pasuwa said.

Pasuwa, however, said the “amnesty’’ had not yet been extended to two other culprits — Chitiyo and Jangano — who will once again miss out on the showdown with Lesotho.

Pasuwa said he would review the other players’ situation after the trip to Maseru.

The Warriors will resume their training in Bulawayo today with Pasuwa still worried about the number of players that are still battling to regain full fitness.

Although he might have scored a double, Mutuma is understood to have complained of deep pain in his groin by the time Pasuwa replaced him with FC Platinum’s Brian Muzondiwa in the 75th minute.

“Rodreck is not yet fully fit. He is a fighter but he was in deep pain because he has both a groin strain and an ankle injury.

“We have also had to give him a day off to rush to Mvurwi after we got a call that his mother is seriously ill,’’ Pasuwa said.

The Warriors mentor said the medical crew was also closely monitoring the injuries to Highlanders defender Teenage Hadebe, who has been battling a nagging knee injury despite lasting the game, and the Dynamos pair of right back Blessing Moyo with a foot injury and left back Ocean Mushure (swollen ankle).

“We also have a problem in that Tafadzwa Kutinyu appears to have suffered a crack in his ankle and the doctors are assessing him but there are indications that the ankle may put into plaster. I don’t think he will make it for the return leg,’’ Pasuwa said.