JOHANNESBURG - Bidvest Wits coach, Roger de Sa, has praised Zimbabwean players who have played for the club over the years, hailing them for their professionalism.The former South Africa goalkeeper congratulated the players for their conduct on and off the pitch, adding that their South African counterparts had a lot to learn from them. Zimbabwean players have, over the last decade, made their name at the modest Johannesburg club also known as The Students or The Clever Boys. Among these stars are Alois Bunjira, Stewart Murisa, Charles Yohane, Henry McKop and Elasto Kapowezha.
They are a disciplined bunch that is nice to work with, de Sa told The Zimbabwean in Johannesburg.
The Wits mentor also defended his latest recruit from Zimbabwe, striker Evans Chikwaikwai saying he would soon hit top form for the struggling Absa Premiership club and live up to the pomp and fanfare that marked his signing.
De Sa said he was impressed by the Zimbabwean-born player, despite him failing to find the net 17 games into the season. Evans is a good striker who has impressed me since he joined us. He is one player whose qualities I have never doubted, said de Sa. He explained that a number of factors had led to fans believing the former Njube Sundowns striker was a flop.
He has not performed badly as people would like to think. It should be noted that he has been living in the shadow of Calvin Kadi, the second highest scorer in the Absa Premiership. In addition, he sustained an ankle injury a few games into the season, a setback which saw him enjoy limited game time. He is now fit and he will soon rediscover his form, said de Sa.
The Wits coach said that he admired the Warriors striker for his professionalism.
He is a disciplined lad on and off the pitch and a nice boy to work with, just like many Zimbabwean players I have mentored before, said de Sa. Chikwaikwai at the beginning of the season completed a dream move to the South African Premiership, joining Wits less than two years after breaking into the top-flight in his homeland.
He finished top scorer in the Zimbabwe PSL last year with 23 goals for Sundowns and was named Zimbabwes 2008 Soccer Star of the Year. Prior to joining the Students, he had already scored nine goals in just 11 games, giving hope to the belief that he could continue his rich goalscoring form. Chikwaikwai joined Sundowns two years ago from lower division club Grain Tigers. The Rusape-born striker has also previously had trials in France.
Post published in: Football