WARRIORS and Kaizer Chiefs attacker Mathew Rusike is a major doubt for the crucial Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier away to Egypt at the end of the month after he sustained a groin injury this week.
Report by Kevin Mapasure
The Kaizer Chiefs striker limped off the pitch 22 minutes into the side’s midweek Absa Premiership match against Chippa United in Cape Town, South Africa.
He was subsequently replaced by the man who later opened the scoring, Kaizer Motaung Junior, in Chiefs’ 2-0 win.
Rusike’s injury will come as a blow to the former Monomotapa winger who had been entrusted with a place in the starting line-up by Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter due to the absence of the suspended Bernard Parker.
Rusike was set for a scan yesterday, but initial indications pointed to bad news for Warriors coach Klaus Dieter Pagels who was closely monitoring the situation yesterday.
“I am aware of the injury, but will have to wait until he’s had a scan to ascertain the extent of the injury then we can take it from there,” said Pagels. The player, however, remained optimistic that he would return to action soon.
He said on twitter: “Something up with my groin, will have a scan and see how long I’m out for. Fingers crossed it’s not too long.”
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A report on Supersport yesterday suggested the skillful and speedy winger, who was only making his fourth start of the season, could be out for the season after Baxter revealed that the injury was “a serious one”.
Rusike also misses out on the league’s biggest match of the season when Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates clash in the Soweto Derby, a stage where he could have showcased his talents.
The forward had a fine debut for The Warriors earlier this year and will be disappointed to miss out on his second cap.
He made his senior debut in a friendly match against Botswana last month where he was influential in the first of the two goals which were scored by Khama Billiat and Denver Mukamba.
Rusike is one of the new faces in the squad under the Pagels revolution as the German coach seeks to overhaul the under-achieving team.
He has been forced to defend his squad selection, having left out most of the senior national team regulars preferring untested players.
The Warriors have collected just one point from a possible six after losing to Guinea before playing a nil-all draw in Mozambique.
On the other hand, Egypt have have collected maximum points, and if Zimbabwe is to retain any hope, they will have to collect all three points in the North African country.
