FORMER Dynamos defender Guthrie ‘Tollgate’ Zhokinyu who was rejected by his team as a spent force has won the praise of new coach David Mandigora.
The defender has displayed some solid performances for Triangle in the last two league matches since his return to football following the lifting of his Asiagate ban last year.
Zhokinyu had been banned by the then Cuthbert Dube-led ZIFA board for his alleged involvement in the Asiagate match fixing scandal but that sanction was lifted last year by Philip Chiyangwa following his election to the top post.
The player returned to action for Triangle in the opening match against Harare City whom they edged 1-0 before making the trip to the capital last weekend and helping frustrate Dynamos in a 0-0 draw.
Zhokinyu stood out in both matches and won the praise of his coach David Mandigora who took over from Kelvin Kaindu.
“He (Zhokinyu) is experienced and I am happy with his performance,” said Mandigora.
“He has been sidelined for a while and we have been working on his fitness. He is getting there and I know he hasn’t reached his full potential. He can only get better.
For his part, the player said: “I have been out of the game for a while.
“It has been precisely three years without kicking a ball. That is not a joke. It takes a lot of effort and hard work to come back and play like I am doing.
“I’m happy that my fitness level is improving and I’m hoping to improve from this. We have got ambition as a team and I think we can achieve our objectives as a team.”
The Lowveld side is one of the six teams that is yet to lose after two rounds of matches.

Advertisement