Keeper Arubi a reluctant hero

Washington Arubi embodied the age-old phrase that goalkeepers “age like fine wine”.

His heroic saves helped Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) reach their maiden cup final, beating last year’s Nedbank Cup winners Mamelodi Sundowns 6-5 on penalties.

The 35-year-old Arubi decisively saved a Hlompho Kekana spotkick, adding to his countless brilliant saves during the game.

It was for the second time this season that he was named Manof-the-Match, co-incidentally getting his first gong against Chippa United, their opponents in the Nedbank Cup final on 8 May at the Free State Stadium.

Speaking to Phakaaathi, Arubi says reaching the final is a cherry on top for the Venda-based side, but the main thing for them is to focus on protecting their DStv Premiership status.

“We don’t want to be disturbed and forget about the league, because we need to survive,” said Arubi.

“Everyone is looking forward to the final, but now we have to focus on the eight league games that are left. All those games will be like cup finals to us so that we get out from where we are...(so that) come the day of the final we are not stressing.

“The cup will be a bonus for each and every person who is involved with the team but we cannot forget that we have a long way to go,” he said.

Having spent the whole of last season playing second fiddle to Ronwen Williams at SuperSport United, the Zimbabwean is grateful that he finally got to play a role in his team’s success.

“People have goals and as a goalkeeper you always want to play. So, when the team reaches a cup final and you are playing, it is pleasing because it shows that you have done something for the team,” he said.

“When you keep your head up and don’t look at the negatives, at the end of the day hard work always pays off. I will continue working hard to help the team survive. As goalkeepers we always support whoever is playing because we have to put the team first,” Arubi added.