Posted: Oct 15, 2021
Feature: Dube Plays In COSAFA Cup This Summer
This summer, CBC midfielder Nyasha Dube had the opportunity of a lifetime. This is the story of his participation in the Council of South African Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup:
The 2021 COSAFA Cup, an international football tournament in the southern region of Africa, took place over the summer. Senior Nyasha Dube was called up to represent his home country
of Zimbabwe. "This tournament was a preparation for the World Cup qualifiers and Africa Cup of Nations," said Dube. "Coaches use this tournament to try out new players and combinations to
strengthen their squads. It is a good platform to showcase talent."
According to Dube, it was not difficult to adjust to the professional atmosphere. "We trained every day and the training sessions were not different from what I am used
to," said Dube. " The speed of play was different. I learned how to play very fast which is something that is vital when playing football."
The Zimbabwe team consisted of local players and a few international players. Growing up, Dube watched some of the players, and he was given the opportunity to meet and play
alongside them. "My teammates were very welcoming and professional," said Dube. "They were always competitive which made training sessions fun and tougher."
Dube earned his first international cap from the Zimbabwe Warriors against Namibia on July 11 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa as a center midfielder.
"It was a great moment," said Dube. "The stadium hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the whole nation, my family, and friends got to watch me on the television for the first time."
Soccer is the most-watched sport in Zimbabwe, according to Dube. "It's similar to a person who plays American football in the states," said Dube. "Everyone
knows who you are when you play for the Warriors." According to Dube, getting to the professional level depended greatly on hard work and self-motivation.
"As a college student, I don't have much time to focus on the sport because of assignments. I had to sacrifice sleeping hours and a social life to train in the gym. It also requires
a lot of mental strength," said Dube.
Dube's goal is to play at the professional level again after he graduates. "Football is the thing I have done all my life which has yielded good results. I've been playing football all my life, so that is why I am so passionate about it."