Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Ex-Kaizer Chiefs defender Thomas Sweswe has implored Zimbabwe coach Michael Nees to consider Elvis Chipezeze after the goalkeeper’s Carling Knockout Cup heroics.
Chipezeze has been a shining beacon for Magesi FC as captain, spurring them to success in the Carling Knockout Cup in their first season in the South Africa elite league.
How he has performed, particularly in the Carling Knockout Cup, has shown that he is not yet a spent force.
Equally important, Chipezeze was the Limpopo-based side’s point of difference in the cup competition, with some heroic saves.
As such, he won four Man of the Match awards, as voted by the fans as Magesi FC brushed opponents aside to win the prestigious title. The awards gave him R400 000.
They beat Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 on Saturday at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein in the final.
For Chipezeze, winning the four awards in the same tournament has undoubtedly been a testament, as his success has also been celebrated in his native home, Zimbabwe.
And former Kaizer Chiefs defender Sweswe reckons the 34-year-old has done enough to be recalled to the Zimbabwe national team.
“Class is permanent. Form is temporary. Elvis Chipezeze reminded Zimbabwe’s national team coach that this guy is also Zimbabwean. Thank you. Maturing in every game. You deserve a place in the national team,” Sweswe posted on Facebook.
Chipezeze last played for Zimbabwe on 11 December 2020, when Zimbabwe lost 3-1 to Algeria during the Afcon qualifiers.
Since then, he has been overlooked by previous Zimbabwe national team coaches. Furthermore, Marumo Gallants’ Washington Arubi has been the chosen number one for The Warriors.
In addition, Dynamos’ Martin Mapisa, Marley Tavaziva of Brentford FC B and Donovan Bernard of Chicken Inn have also been called up.
Moreover, Chipezeze is making a strong case to be considered ahead of the 2025 Afcon set to be staged in Morocco. Zimbabwe is among the teams that qualified for the tournament after coming second in Group J behind Cameroon. (farpost.co.za)
