HARARE - Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambwa has challenged his troops to live up to their billing as regional champions by overcoming Swaziland in the second leg of an African Nations Championships qualifier at Rufaro in Harare today. (Pictured: ZIFA chief executive officer Henriet
Chidzambwa urged his charges to put behind problems that disrupted preparations for the crucial tie and focus on achieving a good result against fast improving Swaziland. “I urge you to focus on the match on Sunday. We have experienced problems but you are not knew to this,” Chidzambwa told his players after their training session at Rufaro on Wednesday.
” You should put behind all the problems you faced and focus on this match if you want to remain champions in this region. Go into the match with a positive mind. Lets not think about the problems we faced other wise it will give our opponents an edge,” added Chidzambwa.
The Warriors, winners of the Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup last year, were forced to cut training to just one session in the mornings because the ever-bungling Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) did not have money to cover more training sessions. The cash-strapped ZIFA also could not provide accommodation for the team which saw Harare-based having to commute every day from their homes to training.
Only Highlanders captain Zephania Ngodzo who resides in Bulawayo and Mutare based goalkeepers coach Brenna Msiska were booked into the hotel. The Warriors are seeking a second straight appearance at the CHAN finals, scheduled for Sudan next year. Zimbabwe were among the eight nations that took part at the inaugural CHAN tournament in Cote dIvoire last year but the Warriors failed to progress beyond the group stages after managing three draws against Ghana, eventual winners Democratic Republic of Congo and Libya.
The Warriors won the first leg 2-1 in Swaziland with the Dynamos pair of Ashley Rambanepasi and Cuthbert Malajila scoring both goals.
Squad:
Edmore Sibanda, Washington Arubi, Gilbert Mapemba, Zephaniah Ngodzo, Daniel Veremu, Method Mwanjali, George Karimupfumbi, George Magariro, Lionel Mtizwa, Tafadzwa Rusike, Ali Sadiki, Elvis Meleka, Willard Katsande, Ashley Rambanapasi, Cuthbert Malajila, Nyasha Mushekwi, Benjamin Marere, Ramson Zhuwawo, Bhekimpilo Ncube.
Post published in: Football