AS the Warriors nurse the wounds of the 0-1 defeat to Botswana’s Zebras in Wednesday’s inaugural Zimbabwe President Independence Cup at the National Sports, there is one light flickering in the darkness.

Herentals central midfielder Richard Hachiro was virtually unknown to most of the 60 000 fans that packed the National Sports for the Uhuru Celebrations, but after the final whistle the workaholic player was one of the most talked about player.

Warriors’ coach, Sunday Chidzambwa who has decried the lack of creative midfielders in the country, singled out Hachiro as a player who impressed him most and the Herentals star is now in line to make the national team squad for the upcoming Cosafa Cup.

Hachiro, who was playing in the national team colours for the first time, caught the eye with his movements and intelligence after he replaced FC Platinum’s Winston Mhango soon after the restart.

And Chidzambwa now thinks Hachiro could be the olution to the Warriors’ perennial central midfield problem.

“Gone are the days when we had players like Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda, Lloyd Mutasa. We really need to look at players of that caliber in central midfield.

“I think we really need to look around for those creative central midfielders. We still have a problem in that area.

“But I was happy with that Herentals boy Richard Hachiro. He came in, stamped his authority and there were lots of movement in that area.

“And I think we need to look around as well and find youngsters like him (Hachiro) and then we sort out this central midfield,” said Chidzambwa.

Hachiro is a former DSTV player who has blossomed at Herentals under coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva.

He was instrumental in Herentals’ maiden promotion into the Premier Soccer League at the end of last season.