The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi Sports Correspondent
WARRIORS newcomer and Mutare born soccer star Phenias Bamusi is picking a lot of positives from what has been of his involvement with the senior men soccer team that he has set his sights on becoming a regular player that commands a first team jersey.
The diminutive but gifted footballer was among the top performers when Zimbabwe overcame Lesotho in the first leg of a 2020 African Nations Championships (CHAN) final qualifier at National Sports on Sunday to get the job half done in hot pursuit of securing a place at the competition finals.
Following his first ever appearance in national team colours after he came on as a second half substitute on the hour mark when they faced Mauritius in the previous round of the qualifiers, Bamusi started the match against Likuena as gaffer Joey Antipas handed him the initiative of his first full senior debut. He lasted the entire 90 minutes on the park.
And he iced up his commanding performance on the afternoon by providing the assist for leading goalscorer Prince Dube to nod home the opener in the first half.
This was the CAPS United man’s first contribution in a goal since making the Warriors grade. He has challenged himself to continue putting in the hard yards, however.
“Overall, the performance was good on the day from the whole team but there is always room for improvement. Helping the nation achieve a good result was a great feeling for me. Being a member of the squad has been the first step that I have taken and want to continue being part of it for a long time to come so we seek to achieve massive things together.
“To be involved in a team goal was such a wonderful thing and it only challenges me to continue working hard. There is still a long way to go, more huge tasks lie ahead and I am keeping my feet on the ground.
Our ultimate goal is to make it to the finals and create our own history,” Bamusi told Post Sport.
After allowing Lesotho to sneak in a goal at the death of the game, the Warriors will be keen to prevent further damage during the return leg set for Maseru next month. That, however, should not be a drawback, the ex-Buffaloes star insists.
“As long as we can also score goals against them at their home, then we are good to go.
We also need to restrict them from further finding the back of the nets and since we possess that quality within our ranks nothing can prevent us from taking the next step to qualifying. We are looking forward to finishing this off,” he emphasised.
After missing out on the previous edition, Zimbabwe are hoping to make a quick return to the competition to mark their fifth overall appearance. Their best run at the tournament has taken them to the quarter-finals.
Running for the sixth successive year since its inception in 2014, the CHAN competition is an exclusive preserve that provides the platform which showcases the finest talents that Africa’s domestic leagues offer. The 2020 finals are scheduled for early next year in Cameroon.
