All hope rests on Zimbabwe's Duduza


BY BRIAN NKIWANE

ZIMBABWE’S international forward Edward “Duduza” Sadomba, currently ranked the 36th deadliest striker in the world, believes the Warriors have enough arsenal to upset Liberia, in the crunch Nations Cup match against Liberia at the National Sports Stadium on September 4.


Sadomba is the man trusted to lead the Warriors against the Lone Star of Liberia in the absence of the injured Knowledge Musona, who has scored three goals for the Warriors in the current Nations Cup campaign.


Musona’s striking partner, Nyasha Mushekwi is also ruled out of the Liberia match due to suspension. The other striker available for the match is rookie striker and Mamelodi Sundowns man Simba Sithole. Sadomba is expected to lead the Warriors. Also missing in the Warriors regular line-up is defence stalwart Thomas Sweswe who play for Kaizer Chiefs, due to suspension.

Sadomba told Standardsport ahead of his club’s Champions League group stage match against Cameroon’s Coton Sport today that he is aware of the task that awaits him for the Warriors. He also believes that Al Hilal will progress to the final of the Champions League.


“I know what is ahead of me, but with God, everything is possible. We need to stay focused, play as a team and we will win. I hope Musona will pass a late fitness test to boost our chances of winning the match,” Sadomba said.


Duduza, who turns 28 four days before the big game, said he has a feeling that he will start scoring for the Warriors against the Lone Star or possibly lay that killer assist to Khama Billiat.


“In the Champions League, I am still the top goal scorer with six goals and in the Sudan league I have 13 goals and I am the second leading scorer,” Sadomba said.


Talented Warriors player Ovidy Karuru posted on Duduza’s facebook wall: “ndarota matiisa pamari paLiberia mudhara” (I dreamt of you [Edward Sadomba] scoring in the Liberia match). Al Hilal’s Sadomba is currently the African Champions League leading goal scorer with six goals and he is ranked the 36th deadliest striker on the globe. He is tied with four other strikers on the globe.



There are 12 African players ranked and recognised by Fifa and the Germany-based International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) with the Tunisian Esperance striker Oussaga Darragi leading with nine goals and is ranked the fifth deadliest goal scorer in the world.


The World Top Goal Scorer rankings, compiled by IFFHS, lists Mexico and Manchester United striker Chicharito as the leading goal scorer with 13 goals. The table refers only to goals at the international level and in continental competition for the players’ club side.