Home Sports Mapisa determined to play decisive AFCON qualifier games

Mapisa determined to play decisive AFCON qualifier games

by Kudakwashe Vhenge


By Tafadzwa Chigandiwa


Zimbabwe international goalkeeper, Martin Mapisa has revealed that he is set on to feature for the Warriors’ two crucial AFCON qualifier matches to be played later this month, The Herald confirmed.


Mapisa who is currently plying his trade in Spain, where he turns out for Zamora FC in the Spanish Segunda Division B, was named among the enlarged 38-man squad that was selected by Warriors coach, Logarusic.


The national team call for the 22-year-old goalminder is his first as he has never played for the senior national team side.


Speaking to the press, the tall goalminder said he is readily available for the two crucial matches against Botswana on 25 March and Zambia on 29 March.


“I will fly back home for the two matches. I feel great to be on that Warriors list, for the two matches against Botswana and Zambia.

“This is another challenge l have to face in my career, to help my country to qualify for the AFCON finals. I’m honestly proud to be in the 38-man squad,” Mapisa told The Herald.


The shot stopper will compete with other three selected Warriors goalkeepers, namely; Highlander’s Ariel Sibanda, United States based, Tatenda Mukuruva and Talbert Shumba who is playing in Zambia.


Moreover, the former Aces Youth Soccer Academy further assured his availability after indicating that his club is willing to release him for the national duty.


Due to a decline in numbers of Covid-19 infections, Spain recently relaxed its travel restrictions of travelers going out and coming in into their country.


The development comes as a huge boost for Logarusic who is likely not going to have the services of key players such as Nakamba and Darikwa together with those who ply their trade in the UK.


After a number of European countries  put in place travel restrictions that all passengers who travel back from listed high-risk countries such as Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia will quarantine for ten days.

This has left many European clubs blocking their players to travel for the national duty.


However, other positive news for the 57-year Croat tactician are that Turkish based defender Teenage Hadebe and Warriors’s skipper Knowledge Musona have confirmed their availability to the squad.


Zimbabwe only need four points to book their place at the next AFCON finals.

Related Articles