By Courage Pahla
Recently appointed Warriors vice-Captain Patson Jaure is set to become a vital cog within a Zimbabwe national soccer team that is seeking to register home win against Liberia in their first 2019 AFCON qualifier at the giant National Sports Stadium this afternoon.
Being one of the few local players who is set to bolster the defence in the absent of regular stalwart Costa Nhamoinesu, the Ngezi Platinum armour also brings stability in the back line that has often been found wanting.
Jaure endured unsuccessful sojourn that hit a rough patch down South at University of Pretoria, that resulted in him being overlooked in the national team and re-joined Ngezi Platinum last year.
After being recalled by the Warriors Gaffer Norman Mapeza and asked to deputise skipper Knowledge Musona, the 27-year-old will be eager to impress and stamp his authority in the defence.
Zimbabwe will be buoyed by the absent of Liberian and Mamelodi Sundowns bustling forward Anthony Lafor through injury.
In an interview with Soccer 24, the rocky defender said he hopes to play a big part in keeping the qualification race alive and urged fans to rally behind the squad and the FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza who has shown a lot of faith in him.
He said;’’I am happy for being called in the squad and joining an elite class of players who are privileged to play abroad such as Knowledge Musona who is a source of inspiration to us. “We have to maximize on home advantage to unsettle our opponents.
“I regard our group as one of the toughest pitting the giants such as DRC, it is therefore quite important for the team to register a win and guard against complacency. The team is eager for success and competitive enough to stand the heat that comes with playing against the big giants of Africa.”
Acting Zimbabwe team manager Wellington Mpandare says everything is on course for the match and urged fans to come in their thousand for a national cause.
“We want to ensure that the morale and confidence is high for the Warriors to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals. This has been made so by the man of cloth PHD founder Prophet Walter Magaya who has shown goodwill gesture and motivation by providing accommodation, training facility and the much-needed support, “he said.