HARARE - Monomotapa midfielder Ronald Chitiyo believes scoring the hat-trick that propelled his side into the Mbada Diamonds Cup quarterfinals will boost his chances of a Zimbabwe national team call up.

The skilful midfielder has twice been called into Warriors provisional squads. He was however part of the Warriors side that fell 2-1 to Zambia in an international friendly in Ndola last month.

His first Warriors trial came early this year when he was included in the 32-member squad assembled by coach Rahman Gumbo in preparation for a World Cup qualifier against Guinea.

He was however, deemed surplus requirement when the final 18 was named ahead of the big game.

After scoring five goals in Monomotapa’s Castle Premiership campaign this season, bagging a hattrick in the 3-2 win over Hardbody in Beitbridge has given the Epworth-raised midfielder renewed hope.

“I’m happy with my performance; the pressure is now on me to maintain such a high level,” says Chitiyo.

“I’m confident that if I can finish the remaining nine games in the PSL in this kind of form. It will go a long way in helping me realise my dream of playing for the Warriors.”

Chitiyo’s feat on Saturday was notable for being the first time a player had scored a hat-trick in the infant history of the Mbada Diamonds Cup.

His first goal, scored after just 35 seconds, ranks as one of the fastest this season.

The quick-fire goal came via a Russel Madamombe assistance, which Chitiyo controlled with his chest before firing past an exposed Hardbody goalkeeper Alexander Useni.

Chitiyo’s second goal was sublime. The 20-year-old beat the off-side trap to meet Madamombe’s through ball. The Monoz star midfielder shot past Useni with his second touch of the ball to put the former Zimbabwe champions 2-0 in front after only three minutes of play.

Hardbody rallied from behind eight minutes into the game through a penalty converted by Jacob Muzvokomba on the second attempt.

Piniel Manhope weighed in with Hardbody’s second goal in the 28th minute to level matters.

However, it was Monoz who dictated the pace for the better part of the game.

With reporters undecided on were the toss will fall between Madamombe and Chitiyo for the man-of-the-match award, it became unquestionable when the former DouglasWarriors player ghosted his way from the right flank to tap home a Kuda Musharu cross.

Chitiyo shared the man-of-the-match prize money of $500 with his teammates.