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Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
YOUNG Warriors coach Callisto Pasuwa believes the presence of Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Kuda Mahachi may make a huge difference in the first leg of the African Championship final qualifier against South Africa at Rufaro on Sunday.

The Mamelodi Sundowns winger is the only foreign-based player in the squad.

Pasuwa yesterday said he was impressed by his talisman’s fitness level.

The midfielder is hardly having game time at the Pretoria side and his national team coach believes his lack for game time has made him hungry and is itching to prove a point.

“The boy is really sharp. He’s leading the pack in terms of fitness and he really wants to play. He’s not having much game time at his club and believes this is the opportunity to prove a point,” said Pasuwa.

“He’s every eager. Anything can happen in a game but he’s raring to go.”

Pasuwa said the FC Platinum duo of Wisdom Mutasa and Walter Musona, who were on a three-week trial period in Slovakia, were showing a big improvement in terms of fitness.

“The boys are looking sharp. We always tell them about fitness levels so, maybe, they have seen it in Europe that when we say they should be fit it means real fitness.

“So these trials are good as they are an eye-opener and help one to push more and not relax and they are really showing signs of improvement,” said Pasuwa.

However, the coach remain hard hit by injuries as Teenage Hadebe, Nqobizitha Masuku, Marshal Mudehwe, Tinotenda Kadewere and Jimmy Konono can no longer make it for the match.

Already Flame Lily defender Edwin Madhananga has been ruled out leaving the coach exposed as he would have to tamper around with his defence.

Buffaloes defender Liberty Chakoroma is still holed up at South African Premiership club Free State Stars where he is undergoing trials.

“The injuries have affected our plans. Defence is a delicate area and the South Africans’ movements upfront are dangerous and we would have wanted the players whom we have been using in the Chan qualifiers and Cosafa.

“The central defence and left back are the most affected areas.

“Liberty and Hadebe have been playing in the central defence but are not available so now we have to tamper with that area.

“But for the leftback area, we can use Pritchard Mpelele who can also play on the left side of the midfield.

“He is a utility player, as well as Carlos Rusere, and they can fill that position,” he said.

Yesterday, during training drills Dynamos defender Blessing Moyo and Lawrence Mhlanga were playing in the heart of defence.

However, Pasuwa remains optimistic despite the challenges.

“Going into the match the fighting spirit is always there and the desire to win despite some challenges and I always challenge these players that it is a chance to prove themselves that they are national team material.

“If you look at players like Evans Rusike, he is about to make it into the South African Premiership but just got some of these opportunities so the available players should carry the day and we will not lose hope.”

Pasuwa concedes that there was now added pressure in the last round of the qualifiers as they were meeting neighbours South Africa.

“I think added pressure is there. Even during our playing days we didn’t want to lose to South Africa and it was the same with them.

“And even our players in South Africa are phoning us telling us that they are thoroughly preparing for this match and have assembled their best team of players and coaches so it a challenge as we have to raise our country’s flag,” he said.

Meanwhile, Young Warrior Thomas Chideu has signed a three-year contract to join South African Premiership side Ajax Cape Town.

His manager, Gibson Mahachi, revealed yesterday that Chideu, who played for Highlanders this season, had struck a deal with the Cape Town side.

“We signed the contract this afternoon and it’s for three years, Thomas was involved in three training games and scored about four goals and given that he is young, he made a big impression at Ajax Cape Town and they agreed that they should take him on board,” said Mahachi.

“Everything is sealed now and it’s an opportunity for the young man to go out there and prove himself.”