Taifa Stars coach, Kim Poulsen had the good fortune of
drawing the experience and expertise of his five foreign based players,
Kazimoto, Ulimwengu, Samatta, Kapombeand Mapunda in the Tuesday draw with
Zimbabwe’s Warrior.Ulimwengu and Samatta have become the bedrock of Stars’s
attacking department, their place in the team unquestionable. Kapombe had been
out for a long time due to injury since his move to France fourth division
club, AS Cannes. Nothing much was expected of him due to his layoff.
And so the focus was on the other two foreign based players,
MwinyiKazimoto and Ivo Mapunda. Both were not newcomers. The veteran
goalkeeper, Mapunda was making a return after a four year absence. Kazimoto
recent performance in the national colours before his Qatar move had been a
see-saw affair. Good in one match then bad in the following match.
Inconsistence had slowly crept into his form.
He had a bad day in his last match against Uganda Cranes. He
was completely below par in a disorganized midfield that uncharacteristically
surrendered possession to the Ugandans. It was no surprise Stars lost 1-0 at
home. That was the last to be seen of him in Taifa Stars’ jersey till Tuesday’s clash. In between he managed to complete a difficulty
transfer to Qatar-based second division club, Al-Markhiya.
His transfer was not only shrouded in mysteries , it was a
heavy gamble on his part. The Qatar second division league consists of just six
teams. The quality and competitive nature of the league cast doubt on whether
the diminutive midfielder had taken a career step forward or backward. (Read Kazimoto's Transfer Saga )
Reports from Qatar indicate he has integrated well into the
team. He has played all his club’s league matches, a sign the coach has faith
in his ability and performance. As widely expected, Poulsen granted him a
starting place. Kazimoto did not need time to register his metamorphosis in the
eyes of the sparse crowd that had attended the match. He appeared fit and
rejuvenated.
While he had been more defensive in the past, on Tuesday he was
more attack minded. He mostly played well-measured forward passes that set
chances for Ulimwengu and Samatta who were attacking from the flanks.
Devoid of the service of Athumani Idd who was once again
benched Stars’ penetration largely depended on Kazimoto. He was the only Stars’ player who could
switch play from one flank to another with long range passes as the rest
struggled with short square passes that failed to threaten Zimbabwe.
His set piece deliveries were a joy to watch. His absolute
precision lifted fans off their seats on more than one occasion. Stars’ best
scoring chances coincided with his presence in the field. Perhaps Stars would
have walked away with a victory had it not been for our strikers who chose to
once again advertise their profligacy.
His substitution seven minutes after the breather gave the
Zimbabwe warrior opportunity to dominate proceedings in the second half. His fifty two minutes cameo was enough to
serve a reminder that our football needs more foreign based players. Kazimoto’s
confidence, calmness and composure while it endorsed long time view that the
nation has talented football it highlighted the fact that our players need
abroad exposure.
Though he was not severely tested, Mapunda also served
another reminder that we need more of our players to get out of their comfort
zone. There was little to be seen of his customary awkwardness in dealing with
crosses. He spilled balls on not more than three occasions. He did not charge out of his goal area, a
part of his weakness that had reduced him to a comic figure.
However little abroad chances are coming their way, our
players should be more aggressive in seeking those opportunities. The local
league is a comfort zone. It does not push players to their limit. Playing for
Simba, Yanga and Azamin the local league players rarely have to be at their
best to emerge victorious. Kazimoto and to an extent,Mapunda have served us
another timely reminder.
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