HARD work is now paying off for Herentals pacey forward, Blessing Majarira, who added another milestone to his fast growing career after getting a call up to the Warriors squad for the 2017 COSAFA Cup set for South Africa.

Blessing completes the Warriors striking department that also has Knox Mutizwa, Prince Dube, Bukhosi Sibanda and Raphael Manuvire.

“I am happy; it means a lot to my career. It’s my first time to be called up to the national team,” Blessing Sportszone.co.zw.

He becomes one of the few First Division players to earn call ups to the national team set up and the second player from Herentals after Ralph Kawondera.

Blessing has been busy making headlines in the Northern Region Soccer League particularly in the past two seasons in which he grabbed the 2016 Golden Boot Award after netting 22 goals in addition to being the Player of Year First Runner-up.

And in 2017, Blessing is the leading goal scorer with nine goals –one goal ahead of his brother Archmore and Simbarashe Domingo of Ngezi Platinum Under-19.

In spite of all the achievements, Blessing is keeping his feet on the ground hoping to turn more corners for Herentals and now the Warriors.

“It’s a very good achievement (to be in Warriors squad). I didn’t lose hope even though I play in Division One.

“I am just expecting to continue working hard all the time and wait for my chance. I should utilise the chance I get. For now I have to prove my point,” he said.

But Blessing’s involvement with the Warriors means Herentals will miss him for some games in their NRSL championship run where they have a nine-point cushion at the summit of the log standing.

For Herentals, it’s a good headache though as their football project has seriously begun yielding fruits only in their third season in the First Division.

Herentals secretary general Kudakwashe Remba reckons Blessing’s national team call up underlines the club as a brand in football development and will inspire more players to put in the hard yards.

“As Herentals Football Club management committee we feel greatly honoured and humbled to have one of our players selected to play for the national team and represent the nation at large.

“Amongst a pool of many talented youngsters which we groomed in our team Blessing has actually opened doors for future more callings for others. We feel Herentals FC has made a history record within the Division One league.”

He added: “We are going to make sure that we work extra hard in identifying and grooming the football youngsters who fit into the national team required standards. 

“We are there to develop these footballers. We are confident that we have the capacity and ability to produce more national team players from our club.”