(April 20,2005) FORMER Warriors' captain, Norman Mapeza, has ruled out making a comeback to the Zimbabwe national soccer team. The lanky defender, now turning out for South African Premiership side Ajax Cape Town, told StandardSport from South Africa last week that he has closed his international career because he believes he has nothing more to offer to the national team. Mapeza, an experienced player who has also plied his trade in Turkey and Austria, last featured for The Warriors in 2001 before he was plagued by injuries which subsequently ended his career in Europe. Early last year, he joined local side Caps United before crossing the Limpopo to join the ambitious SA side. "I have made up my mind that my days with the national team are over. Apart from the fact that I am too old to start challenging for a place in The Warriors, I think it is time younger players are introduced in the team to match the kind of pace found in international football. At 33, it wouldn't make sense for me to think of a comeback. I had my time with The Warriors, it is time I moved on and gave the younger players a chance," said Mapeza, who is having a dream outing at the South African side.

The former Darryn T midfield anchor said what he is worried about is playing in the African Champions League, in which Ajax are one match away from reaching the money-spinning group stage.

"My main concern now is prolonging my club career and doing well in the African Champions League. We are one-win away from reaching the group stage after we beat Fello Star Labbe of Guinea 2-0 in the first leg and I have confidence we will go far in this competition.

"My one-year contract with Ajax runs out in June and I am looking forward to negotiating a new deal as I would like to stay at this club," Mapeza said.

Mapeza, meanwhile, believes the SA Premiership is much better, both on the field of play and in administration, than the set-up in Zimbabwe. "Football here is far more organised than in Zimbabwe. The administration is very professional and the football continues to improve due to the clubs taking in competent foreign coaches. The influx of foreign players, most of them full internationals with their respective national teams means the standards here are very high and improving."

Mapeza hopes to end his playing career in South Africa. "I want to end my career here. I know you can never say never in football, but I don't see myself playing in Zimbabwe again." Ajax's obsession now, he said, is ending the season in the top eight.

"On Wednesday we beat Wits University 2-1 to keep alive our hopes of finishing among the top eight. On Sunday (today), we are playing Kaizer Chiefs and we are hopeful of another good outing. We are on sixth position now and not under pressure at all as we are safe for a top-eight finish. Chiefs still hope to retain the league championship, so it is they who feel the pressure in the tie."

The versatile Mapeza says The Warriors need to realise they cannot afford any more slip-ups if they are entertaining any hopes of making it to the Nations Cup finals next year.

"Every match now counts. Otherwise they are still in with a good chance of making it to the finals in Egypt."