Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Reporter
CONCERN has been raised over what looks like a lightweight Warriors strike force ahead of the two World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and South Africa next month.
The four strikers selected for the World Cup Qualifiers have scored just eight goals between them.
The four strikers that have been called up for the two World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and South Africa are Tino Kadewere, Tawanda Chirewa, Douglas Mapfumo and Tymon Machope.
The quartet has scored a combined eight league goals in 76 matches.
Tino Kadewere who plays for Nantes in the French Ligue 1 has the highest profile but has been failing to lead the frontline for some time.
The Highfield-bred star has scored just three goals in national team colours over 25 matches.
His last goal for the Warriors was against Algeria four years ago when Zimbabwe lost 3-1 to the Desert Foxes.
His form at club level is not better either as he failed to find the back of the net in 11 matches for Lyon before being shipped out to Nantes where there have not been any improvement after he netted just once in 14 matches.
Douglas Mapfumo is another frontman expected to bang the goals for the Warriors, something that he has been failing to do consistently for Polokwane City in the South African Premiership.
The 24-year-old only scored three goals in 21 league matches for his club, one coming in the Nedbank Cup.
His goal return is five times lower than the league’s top goal scorer, Tshegofatso Mabasa who had 15 goals in 23 games for Orlando Pirates.
Last season, Mapfumo only scored one goal for Black Leopards in nine outings.
Tymon Machope is a Rookie in his right playing only his second season in the top flight.
The 30-year-old Simba Bhora striker has only found the back of the net four times in 14 matches.
His debut season threw him into the limelight after scoring 10 goals for the Shamva-based side.
His selection over other local strikers like Lynoth Chikuhwa of Highlanders with seven goals, Bulawayo Chief’s Never Rauzhi with six goals, Evans Katema, William Manondo, Brighton Ncube, Micheal Ncube and Bright Makopa who have all scored more goals than him has raised questions.
England-based Tawanda Chirewa who turns out for Wolves in the English Premier League has been a consistent goal scorer.
The 20 year however has scored at Under 21 level and is still searching for his first goal in the top flight.
Legendary Portuguese manager, Jose Mourinho once said “Good defence guarantees that you don’t lose easily but you have to score to win matches.”
