WARRIORS kingpin Costa Nhamoinesu is refusing to let the sickening racial abuse he suffered during a Europa League clash between his Sparta Prague outfit and Italy’s Lazio distract him.

The 30-year-old defender was a victim of racist chants from visiting Lazio fans on March 10, forcing officials to temporarily halt the match. Play only resumed after cameras were placed in the bays in a bid to monitor and identify the rowdy supporters. The racist taunts took a toll on the usually dependable defender’s performance as his side laboured to a disappointing 1-all home draw. However, Nhamoinesu had the last laugh on Thursday as his Czech side hammered Lazio 3-0 in Italy to progress to the quarter-finals.

He was also included in the Uefa Europa Team of the Week. Now the 30-year-old defender, who put up a solid 90-minute show at the Stadio Olimpico, declares that the tough time he has just gone through will not interfere with the work ahead as Zimbabwe prepare for back-to-back 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Swaziland.

“It’s tough in this part of Europe, its survival of the fittest but life goes on,” said the former Masvingo United man.

Nhamoinesu is once again expected to play a key role when Zimbabwe clash with Swaziland in Group L fixtures over the Easter holiday. But before boarding the plane home for the Warriors camp that begins tomorrow, Nhamoinesu has an assignment tonight when second-placed Sparta Prague engage fifth-placed Slavia Prague in a Czech Liga clash that kicks off at 8:30pm Zimbabwean time.

“The battle is on in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers and I am ready for sure. We have to get six points against Swaziland for us to put one foot into the finals.

“There are no more small teams and the fact that Swaziland lead the log standings after two rounds of action is testimony of the changing times,” said the versatile defender.

Swaziland and Zimbabwe are both on four points and have the same goal difference but Sihlangu lead the log by virtue of having scored four goals compared to the Warriors’ three. Nhamoinesu said the recent racism incident had strengthened his passion. “Racism in football is a cancer that has to be eradicated, what the Lazio fans did was unpleasant. Because of their persistent racist taunts, the match had to be stopped so that a camera could be placed to observe the fans for the rest of the match,” said Nhamoinesu.

With the support of his club and Czech journalists, Nhamoinesu is now actively involved in a programme to combat racism in the European country.

“However, we have few incidents here in the Czech Liga, not as often as it was when I was in Poland. In Poland it was bad, but I had to endure it because football is not only my source of livelihood but a passion. I will take this fight further, at least for the sake of the younger generation,” he said.

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Infamous cases of Racism against African footballers

February 2005 — Real Zaragoza fans made monkey-like chants and hurled peanuts onto the pitch each time Cameroon striker Samuel Eto-o, then with Barcelona, had possession of the ball.

April 2007 – Lyon player Milan Baros racially abused Renne’s Stephen Mbia and implied that the Cameroonian stank.

January 2013 — AC Milan’s Ghana midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng and the rest of the Milan players walked off the pitch in a friendly against lower league side Pro Patria after enduring racial abuse.

May 2013 — Didier Drogba and Cote d’Ivoire team mate Emmanuel Eboue, both then with Galatasaray, were racially abused by a section of Fenerbahce fans during a warm-up session

October 2013 — Manchester City linkman Yaya Toure received racist abuse from CSKA Moscow fans and the Russian stadium was partially closed as punishment

February 2016 — Former Bafana Bafana captain Steven Pienaar and Ivory Coast striker Arouna Kone were victims of racist chants by Carlisle United fans as they celebrated an Everton goal in an FA Cup clash.