Muduhwa making a Warriors case
HIGHLANDERS defender Peter Muduhwa (pictured) has begun knocking on the Warriors door and his coach Erol Akbay reckons the 22-year- old centre back is one of the best in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
Muduhwa underlined his credentials last Sunday with a solid show as Highlanders came from behind to beat arch rivals Dynamos 2-1 at Barbourfields.
Apart from shutting out the DeMbare strike force led by 2012 Soccer Star of the Year Denver Mukamba, the tough tackling Muduhwa was also created the winning goal.
He went on a mazy run on the right flank before crossing the ball for veteran striker Ralph Matema.
Muduhwa, one of the youthful players fused into the Highlanders squad by Dutch mentor Akbay this season, also grabbed the headlines after the Battle of Cities first leg clash at BF on July 17.
He frustrated Caps United veteran striker Leonard Tsipa with his robust marking before the 34-yearold lost his cool and head butted the young defender in the 54th minute.
Tsipa was sent off and Highlanders walked away with a 1- 0 victory.
Although Makepekepe got their revenge in the reverse fixture, winning by an identical score line at the National Sports, Muduhwa once again proved his worth with another stellar performance. From a fringe player who only came in as cover for veterans Felix Chindungwe and Eric “Tsiba” Mudzingwa during the first half of the season, Muduhwa is now one of the first names on Akbay’s team sheet. And the Dutch master has high regards for the young centre back. “He is very good now, he has learnt a lot of things in a very short space of time because he is an intelligent player,” said Akbay. “He was always watching what the other senior defenders were doing and when the time came for him to play, he did exactly what I ask of defenders. “I want defenders who mark tough but at the same time are able to play the ball when we are in possession. After doing just that, he is now the number one defender.” Muduhwa knows it could be a while before Warriors coach Kallisto Pasuwa considers him for national duty but he intends to continue making his case. “Playing for the national team is a dream for every player, so I will keep trying…soon it will be alright,” said Muduhwa. Muduhwa played his junior football at Bootlaces and Ajax Hotspurs before moving to Highlanders.