Grace Chingoma Harare Bureau
A NUMBER of battle-hardened Warriors are relishing a chance to dance at the Africa Cup of Nations next year which will present them with a last supper at such a tournament before they probably call time on their international careers.
For players such as Cuthbert Malajila, Costa Nhamoinesu and skipper Willard Katsande the latest success story was very special.
Malajila who turns 31 in October is the most senior player in the team followed by Katsande and Nhamoinesu who are both 30.
Malajila declared he was the happiest man in the national team following qualification.
“I’m the oldest player in the team, my chance is now there to go to Afcon, I’m happy, this is my last Afcon, if I’m not mistaken, so if I’m to go I would be the happiest,” said Malajila.
“I’m making my country proud.
“We’ve youngsters in the team and I tell you these young boys are going far.
“Most of them are 25 years and below, I’m the oldest, if I’m not mistaken, me and Costa and Willard so I’m the happiest person.”
Nhamoinesu was also happy to play a part in the success.
“It’s a marvelous feeling, it’s fantastic to have qualified after such a long time and it shows that the work we put in has finally paid off,” he said.
“I feel great, I’m one of the senior players, this was our chance to feature in the Afcon finals and we managed to do that.
“It’s also an opening for the youngsters because as a nation we’re rising, we’re raising our levels of football so we’ll go to the Afcon and they’ll know there’s Zimbabwe.”
The defender, who is unlikely to remain at Czech club Sparta Prague, missed the previous Afcon qualifiers but won the hearts of everyone with solid defending and helping the attack.
“Well, it was up to the people who select the team and finally they called me and as a player I only look forward to do my job, I do what the coaches tell me,” said Nhamoinesu.
“For me the most important thing is teamwork, to unite the team and play together as a solid unit.”
Nhamoinesu has attracted a lot of interest from various clubs.
“Right now everything is under control, my manager is sorting out negotiations with the clubs that want to secure my signature so negotiations are still ongoing.
“By the time I go to Europe I’ll know how it stands,” said Nhamoinesu.
Skipper Katsande said playing at the finals will cap his career.
“When we had the draw, we spoke about it with other senior players in the team and said that’s our last chance, especially us who are going into the 30s and so we need to give it our last push and try to qualify,” he said.
“Now we will say, at least, I played at the highest level at Afcon.”