HIS superb goal at the Harry Gwala Stadium in the KwaZulu-Natal Derby a fortnight ago is an early contender for the Goal of the Season award in the South African Premier Soccer League.
BY FORTUNE MBELE
The wonder strike by Golden Arrows’ Zimbabwe international Knox Mutizwa was nothing short of brilliant and must have surely captured the attention of the Warriors coaches.
Mutizwa coolly controlled a cross from Danny Venter and attempted an audacious overhead. The rest, as they say, is history.
It’s a goal that even sparked comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale’s strikes in the UEFA champions league last season.
Like everyone else, Mutizwa is also in awe at the wonder goal.
“I could not believe it when I scored. But as soon as I chested the ball, I thought of that bicycle kick and there it was, the spectacular goal. Of course, I was ecstatic. I attribute that to the hard work we had in pre-season and the coach (Clinton Larsen) has always said (Lerato) Lamola and I deserve to be rewarded,” Mutizwa told The Sports Hub. Lamola scored the other goal that gave Arrows a two-nil victory over Maritzburg United on the day.
It is, in fact, Mutizwa’s wish that the Warriors’ technical bench, led by Sunday Chidzambwa, was watching as they look to assemble the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
However, long it’s going to take, he will keep trying. “I will be patient, wait and see while pushing hard and try to continue to score goals. If I am not called up for national duty, no hard feelings, maybe I don’t deserve it,” Mutizwa said.
The former Highlanders top scorer was the star last year when the Warriors lifted a fifth Cosafa Cup title and was voted player of the tournament, yet has not been called up for national duty since.
He was not part of the Cosafa squad that retained the regional trophy this year before being omitted from the squad for the upcoming Afcon qualifiers.
Last season, he scored seven goals in the South African premiership, four short of the league’s top scorers Rodney Magalela and Percy Tau. He was among the top 10 with fellow Zimbabwean stars Khama Billiat and Evans Rusike, who each scored eight for their clubs Mamelodi Sundowns and Maritzburg respectively.
Mutizwa says he has settled in well at Golden Arrows, a side he joined in January last year from Bidvest Wits, who grabbed him from Highlanders in 2016.
At Golden Arrows, he has played with Warriors’ star Kuda Mahachi, who has since moved to giants Orlando Pirates. But the rising star still plays with other Zimbabwe national team players Danny Phiri and Devine Lunga, the latter having joined the side last month and played his debut on Sunday.
“I have settled in well at Golden Arrows where I am considered one of the senior players now. Devine just came in and I feel honoured at times that some of the players here approach me for advice. Coach Larsen has said between me and Lamola, one of us should be top goal scorer this year. I wish I could grab the Golden Boot as I continue to work hard and remain disciplined,” Mutizwa said.
Mutizwa is a product of the Highlanders’ juniors and made a mark in 2015 playing alongside veteran Obadiah Tarumbwa and was the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Golden Boot winner with 14 goals despite starting in 17 games only.
