Mukuruva relives Mane battle

ZTN Sports

Former Zimbabwe Warriors first-choice goalkeeper, Tatenda Mukuruva, has described his battle against Liverpool star Sadio Mane at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations finals as the highlight of his career.

Mukuruva, now based in the United States of America, was a goalkeeper of note for the national team at a young age, when he stood toe to toe against the potent Senegalese attack led by Mane.

In an interview with ZTN Sports, Mukuruva reminisced on an unforgettable night on which the battling Warriors fell to Senegal in the second game of the Afcon finals.

“It was really amazing. I felt like the best moment of my soccer career.”

“Playing against (a player like) Mane, a world-class player, you watch him play week in week out against world-class goalkeepers, scoring sensational goals.

“As a youngster, that was an amazing experience for me and I am grateful for that. I was a little bit nervous, but once we are on the field we are playing on the same level,” said Mukuruva.

Mukuruva last featured for the Warriors in 2017 and is yet to make an impression on the national team coaches.

But when he was asked who is the best Zimbabwe international player he joked, “Basically that has to be me.”

“We have such good talent, we have (Marvelous) Nakamba, (Tino) Kadewere, Musona, both Knowledge and Walter, we have a lot of good players doing well out there,” he said.