Sheffield Wednesday youngster banks more international experience as trophy dream escapes
Sheffield Wednesday academy graduate Sean Fusire secured more international experience for Zimbabwe on Tuesday evening.
Sheffield Wednesday wing-back Sean Fusire stored 90 minutes under his belt for Zimbabwe on Tuesday night as they were beaten 2-0 by Nigeria in the semi-final of the Unity Cup.
Taking place at The Valley - the home of Charlton Athletic - the contest was settled by two goals from Millwall ace Femi Azeez. The winger scored either side of half-time to seal Nigeria’s place in Saturday’s final against either Jamaica or India.
Azeez, who was a standout figure for Millwall this season as they narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League, opened the scoring inside five minutes when his left-footed shot from outside the penalty area found its way into the bottom corner.
The Nigerian debutant then added his second shortly past the hour mark to seal his side’s place in this weekend’s final, tapping home a Terem Moffi cross. Nigeria will discover who they will face in the final when Jamaica and India go head-to-head, also at The Valley, at 7.30pm on Tuesday evening.
Although he was on the losing side, a full 90 minutes marked another important step for Fusire in his development. The Owls academy graduate, who established himself as an important figure in Henrik Pedersen’s plans this term, was included in Zimbabwe’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations just before Christmas but failed to make an appearance at the tournament.
The 20-year-old, who has not dismissed the prospect of returning to a midfield role at some point in the future, will be hoping to feature again when Zimbabwe take on the loser of the clash between Jamaica and India in Saturday afternoon’s third place play-off.
Alongside Fusire, former Wednesday midfielder Marvelous Nakamba also featured in the defeat to Nigeria. Donning the captain’s armband, the midfield enforcer, who was released by the Owls earlier this month after a short spell at Hillsborough, was substituted with 15 minutes of the game remaining.