Robert Watiyakeni the towering fall back will frustrated Zimbabwe’s golden bot Peter Ndhlovu in last Sunday’s Africa Cup Game ,says that he will put in more effort in the remaining games against Mauritius and Senegal.
“There is no way I will allow allow any striker from Mauritius or Senegal to go past me because Zambia has to qualify for the two finals. It’s now or never.”Watiyakeni said
Watiyakeni, claiming he had hit top form since going to join Dynamos of Johannesburg early this year together with Wisdom Chansa and Samuel Chomba, said he has been humbled by the decision of the coaches to recall him to the team.
“I felt very humbled to have been recalled especially after having not played active football for one season and the best way to repay that gesture is to die a little for Zambia,” the 24 year old said.
Watiyakeni said he was grateful to Dynamos for releasing him, Chansa and Chomba to be with the national team until the May 1Â game against Senegal in Dakar. Zambia plays Mauritius on April 25.
“Atleast this is going to give me and my colleagues a long time to train and get used to rest of the guys and consolidate the team for total victory,” he said
He said having been in the team that went to the 1992 Africa Cup final in Senegal where Zambia was ejected in the quarter finals, his aim was to make another appearance next year in Tunisia.
“But this time, it shouldn’t be a matter of just going there but going there to win the Cup because we have the potential.
On how he managed to contain Ndhlovu, considered deadly striker from English side Coventry, Watiyakeni said that whenever he marked a professional from the opposing team, its not the player’s fame that he was worried about but the fact that he had to stop his opponents at all costs.
Watiyakeni formerly of Power Dynamos and previously Nchanga Rangers said that he had settled in well in South Africa and was happy with the conditions of his 3 year contract.
[Dingi Chirwa l Weekly Post l 16-22 April 1993]
