Hwange Football Club striker Rodwell Chinyengetere was hoping to undertake his biggest away assignment when Zimbabwe take Angola on Sunday before tragedy struck.
Report by Ranganai Dzotizei
Playing for his premiership side against Monomotapa, Chinyengetere got injured in the 58th minute on a day his team chased shadows in a 3-0 losing cause.
The former Zimbabwe Saints man collided with goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi and had to be stretchered off the pitch. He went to hospital writhing in agony.
He was diagnosed of a fractured shin and will be out for two months. It robbed him of the chance to make history and to possibly steer the Warriors to a third Nations Cup appearance.
“The injury is bad. We all went for the ball, but in the collision I suffered a terrible injury.
“I’m pained that I’m going to miss the Angola match. I’ve no hard feelings for Mukandi because it is part of soccer, it happens,” said the Hwange hitman.
Despite this setback, all hope is not lost for “Roddy” as he now looks forward to Afcon 2013 hoping he makes the final 23 for the showpiece.
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“I am so expectant. I hope I will make it to South Africa. Only God knows,” he said.
The 24-year-old forward also had critical match points to give to his teammates as they head into Luanda for the make-or-break tie.
“We just need to concentrate for 90 minutes and avoid conceding goals.”
“The best way to defend is to attack, so we need to take the game to them.”
A staunch Chelsea and Real Madrid fan, Chinyengetere owes his success to national team coach Rahman Gumbo who entrusted the Hwange captain with the goal scoring duties ahead of players like Takesure Chinyama and current premiership top goalscorer Nelson Mazivisa.
Since Gumbo gave him his debut against Burundi, and despite not having opened his Warriors goal scoring account, he has proved to be a vital cog with some brilliant displays in the Warriors attacking line and has never looked back.
His aggressiveness and tenacity to put defenders on the back peddle will be sadly missed in Angola.
