SUNDAY Chidzambwa will probably flight an advert in the classified sections, which reads: Wanted asap: a creative playmaker. Despite Zimbabwe’s 2-1 victory over Malawi in an international friendly midweek at Rufaro the team still lacks a creative player in the midfield.
The Warriors’ ventures going forward relied heavily on the individual skills of Kaizer Chiefs striker Knowledge Musona and Caps United winger Tafadzwa Rusike.
This is where the problem is because come March 15, Musona would not be eligible to play in the African Nations Championships (CHAN) first round qualifier against Swaziland in Maseru.
Only locally-based players are allowed to play in the CHAN competition and without the Amakhosi striker, Zimbabwe’s attack would surely be crippled.   
On Wednesday, Warriors coach Chidzambwa dropped his much-favoured, but defensive 3-5-2 formation and opted for an offensive 4-4-2.
The men given the creative roles in this formation were Dynamos trio of Ashley Rambanepasi, Farai Vimisayi and Thabani Kamusoko together with Rusike.
Of the quartet Rusike was the only one who showed some urgency in his play and it was no surprise that he ended up scoring both Warriors’ goals.
The two goals were however a result of some good fortune and cannot be really attributed to the team’s creativity.
The first goal was a result of a deflection when Flames defender Grey Nyirenda deflected Rusike’s harmless free kick into his own net with only 17 minutes of play.
The second goal came after 25 minutes when Malawi’s Chikumbutso Manyenda hesitated to clear and allowed Rusike to steal the ball and fire into the bottom corner.
Vimisayi was a total disaster as he spent almost the entire afternoon invisible before he was substituted after 50 minutes for Lengthens’ Richard Mteki.
Rambanepasi and Kamusoko are no doubt good players, but they are however very predictable when going forward.
Musona and his striking partner Nyasha Mushekwi had to drop down deep into their own half to get some possession since there was no service from the midfielders.
For the entire match there was never really a time when the central midfielders provided the two strikers with splitting passes into the opponents’ half.
Chidzambwa needs to find a solution to the problem before his team’s weakness is exposed in the forthcoming CHAN qualifier against Sihlangu.
Standardsport Match Ratings (Out of 10)
Edmore Sibanda – 6
The big goalkeeper was never really tested by the Malawi attack, but showed good command of his area and defence.
Gift Mapemba – 5
Had a quiet game for the high standards that have made him one of the best wings on the land.  
George Karimupfumbi – 6
Was solid in the tackle and combined well with the midfield when going forward.
Method Mwanjali – 6
At fault for the Malawi goal when he gave the striker a lot of room to turn, but generally controlled his back line well.
Daniel Veremu – 7
The Gunners defender never puts a foot wrong and quietly did his man-marking job.
Ashley Rambanepasi – 6
Had a good game in the centre of the park, but did not offer much when entering the attacking third.
Thabani Kamusoko – 4 
A huge disappointment all afternoon and was lucky to even spend 49 minutes on the field before being substituted.
Farai Vimisayi – 3
The diminutive player was never in the game. Maybe his mind was preoccupied with the transfer wrangle between his club Hwange and Dynamos. 
Nyasha Mushekwi – 6
Also had  quite a game and wasted the few chances that came his way.
Knowledge Musona – 7
He was causing all sorts of problems for the defenders with his pace but needs to convert all that energy into goals.
Tafadzwa Rusike – 8 (Man-of-the-match)
He was not afraid to run at the defenders and always had an eye for goal. The midfielder was undoubtedly the best player on show for the home side.

BY NIGEL MATONGORERE

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