Arubi vs Chipezeze: ‘I don’t want two alpha animals…’ – Nees
Zimbabwe head coach Michael Nees has explained why he has preferred goalkeeper Washington Arubi ahead of Magesi FC captain Elvis Chipezeze, who is in the form of his life in the Betway Premiership.
The Marumo Gallants goalkeeper, Arubi, has been the trusted pair of hands for the Warriors of Zimbabwe with Chipezeze overlooked in recent years.
Chipezeze’s last international appearance, a 4-0 defeat to the DRC at the 2019 AFCON, resulted in the former Baroka FC goalkeeper being excluded from the national team since.
And German coach – Nees is unapologetic about his decision, as he turns a blind eye to Magesi FC skipper Chipezeze.
The Magesi goalie became the first goalkeeper to keep 10 clean sheets this season in the PSL despite the team’s defensive struggles. He also played a key role as Dikwena tsa Meetse surprisingly beat Mamelodi Sundowns in the final to be crowned the 2024/25 season champions of the Carling Knockout Cup.
But Nees risked calling up the injured Arubi for Zimbabwe’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Nigeria.
The 39-year-old goalkeeper has been nursing a finger injury, which has seen him sidelined for three games against Durban City FC in the Nedbank Cup and league ties versus Sekhukhune United and Cape Town City FC.
WHAT NEES SAID AFTER SNUBBING ELVIS CHIPEZEZE AS WASHINGTON ARUBI RETAINED HIS PLACE
Defending his decision to stick to Arubi as he overlooks Chipezeze, Nees said too much competition might distort his goalkeeping department.
Hence, Arubi is deputised by Martin Mapisa of MWOS FC and rookie goalie Marley Tavaziva of Brentford B.
“I don’t want two alpha animals as number one A or number one B. On the goalkeepers, sometimes too much competition cannot be good,” Nees said.
“I brought Washington Arubi and Khama Billiat because I thought something was lacking. They exceeded our expectations and helped us qualify for AFCON with everyone else on the team.
“Washington is my number one and if something happens to him, we are ready to act. He deserves the respect to help us qualify and if another goalkeeper had been chosen before Washington, he would have helped us to qualify.
“For me, loyalty and character are important, and I won’t throw my players under the bus after qualifying. Others are doing it, but I won’t do that. I can tell you that we are able to react if something happens. He [Arubi] had a small injury in his hand, but at his age,e he knows how to handle it.”
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