×
NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

Rusikes joy over Matthew’s debut

Sport
PHILIP Rusike and his wife Sue are happy for their son Matthew for choosing to play for his country of birth after making his debut for the Warriors in an international friendly match against the Zebras of Botswana on Wednesday.

PHILIP Rusike and his wife Sue are happy for their son Matthew for choosing to play for his country of birth after making his debut for the Warriors in an international friendly match against the Zebras of Botswana on Wednesday.

REPORT BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA

The Rusikes, who watched the new-look Warriors edge Botswana 2-1 on Wednesday, said they had always wanted their son to play for his country of birth instead of South Africa where he is plying his trade at Kaizer Chiefs.

“It has always been our desire for him to play for Zimbabwe. We are patriotic and are happy that today (Wednesday) he has turned out for his country of birth. He had a good game and we are all happy for him. We hope he will continue to work hard and help raise the country’s flag,” said the player’s father Philip, who stays in Zimbabwe with his wife.

The pair watched Wednesday’s match at Rufaro.

Media reports had suggested the 22-year-old forward born and raised in Harare by his parents – a Zimbabwean father and South African mother — was faced with a tough decision as he had to choose playing for his country of birth or turning out of South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.

He had represented Zimbabwe at youth international level.

Fifa rules stipulate that players can change national teams as long as they haven’t played a competitive fixture for a country at full international level and this had raised genuine fears he could choose to play for Bafana Bafana.

However, he responded to the call by Warriors interim coach Klaus Dieter Pagels when he joined camp for the international friendly against Botswana.

He played with both pride and distinction. Pagels got off to a winning start as the new Warriors coach. Matthew’s strong run on the right flank and the timing of his cross into the 18 area saw Khama Billiart restore parity for the Warriors with a simple tap-in. It spoke volumes about his potential to help his country to greatness.

By the time he was substituted for Abbas Amidu, he had done enough to convince Pagels and his technical team.

Related Topics