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Tadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter
WARRIORS utility player Jordan Zemura is back to full fitness after playing his first game against Middlesbrough in the English Championship football match on Saturday, exactly two weeks before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

The 22-year-old has been on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury in an English Championship game against Reading at the end of October.

There were doubts concerning his availability for the AFCON finals which gets underway on January 9 in Cameroon.

But the Cherries left-back on Saturday lasted the distance in this closely-fought battle which Middlesbrough walked away 1-0 winners at the Riverside Stadium.

Apparently, this was Bournemouth’s first league loss with Zemura in the fold but Scott Parker’s side are still well within touching distance of leaders Fulham.

While Zemura had a decent game on Saturday for a player who was on the sidelines for the past six weeks, he has given the Warriors a huge boost.

Although the Warriors provisional squad for the AFCON finals is yet to be named, The Herald is reliably informed the Bournemouth defender is in the team.

The Warriors manager, Wellington Mpandare, has been in constant touch with Bournemouth, getting feedback on his injury and the team had okayed his inclusion.

Warriors coach Norman Mapeza and Mpandare are expected to meet today before the provisional squad is made public.

And to be bouncing back, given a starting berth and lasting the distance after that long lay off is something that Zemura has helped lift his confidence before he flies in for the Warriors camp.

“It feels very much exciting to be back into the team after a long time,” said Zemura.

“Look, six weeks is a very long time for a footballer to be on the sidelines. Every player wants to be playing the game, that’s what we do and we have to do it when we are supposed to be doing it. The six weeks have been enduring, not nice at all.

“I am someone who always wants to be competing, to be playing and to be training. That has not been happening and you know that takes a toll on you as a person and as a footballer.

“I am very happy and it feels great to be back playing again. That’s what I enjoy the most, that’s my job. This also boosts my confidence as a player. It’s unfortunate we lost this match. It was very tough, we had our chances and they had theirs too. We wanted to win as a team as we know what we want to achieve at the end of the day but this is football, you win, draw or lose. We will go back to the drawing board and reorganise.”

Zemura is set to be playing in his first AFCON tournament for Zimbabwe in Cameroon next month and he is very much geared physically and psychologically.

“Playing in a team or playing in a tournament for the first time is always something which is scary, so to say. But, this is very common in this game.

“Let me say I am super excited to be going to be a part of this extravaganza.

“This is Africa’s biggest football tournament where the best players from our continent meet.

“It’s always tough to be playing against the best of the best but we are ready to face anyone. “We qualified for the tournament just like every participant there and we know we are also capable.

“But I am happy, as an individual, to be playing in that tournament for the very first time. This is one of the best tournaments in the world and you always want to be part of the fun. I am ready and I pray that no eventualities like injuries stand in the way.”

Zemura’s recovery is being celebrated moreso after some of the key Warriors players have been ruled out due to different reasons including injuries.

Aston Villa midfielder Marvellous Nakamba and France-based midfielder Marshall Munetsi are both injured and will miss the AFCON fiesta.

Right-back Tendayi Darikwa has also excused himself from being part of the squad for personal reasons and the recovery of Zemura, who missed the Warriors’ last two 2022 World Cup qualifiers, is a big consolation.

Mapeza, who has failed to win a single game since replacing Zdravko Logarusic, albeit on an interim basis, will be looking to guide the Warriors to the second round of the tournament for the first time in five appearances.