Beating Egypt difficult, but NOT impossible

Admittedly, this is a difficult task, considering the controversial selection of the Zimbabwean team, but not one that is impossible to achieve. The Pharaohs are the only side to have a 100 percent record in the group with their two wins, but their recent poor form gives hope that there is still hope in face of adversity for Zimbabwe, who have one point.

The North Africans have not won a game in 2013 and their heavy losses should be a confidence booster for the Zimbabwean side seeking to claw their way into contention.

The Egyptians have played more friendly matches, but the results they got along the way have been far from proving them an invincible side. Their defeats – 3-0 against Ghana and 4-1 against the Ivory Coast in the run-up to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, followed by a 3-1 loss to Qatar and 2-1 to Chile, mean Klaus Dieter Pagels’ boys can also clinch victory in North Africa.

This run of poor form could signal a decline in the Egyptian standard of the game, following their failure to qualify for the last two editions of the African Cup of Nations finals. The Egyptians will also not be playing in their familiar 120,000-seater National Stadium in Cairo, but in Alexandria, where they were shocked by little Central African Republic in the run up to the 2013 Nations Cup.

South African-based former Warriors coach, Sunday Chidzambga, also believes in a Warriors victory.

“We can surprise many by beating Egypt in this game, which will surely decide our fate in the qualifiers,” said the man who took Zimbabwe to their first Afcon finals in the same country in 2004.

“The Pharaohs have a number of experienced players that will give us problems, but we should not lose hope. If our players make a resolution to die on the pitch representing the nation, we will triumph with ease.”

Fortune Bwoni, secretary of the Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters Association, said this was the perfect chance for the Warriors to bounce back into contention for their first ever World Cup qualification.

“A loss for Zimbabwe in Egypt would effectively end our chance of qualifying for the World Cup, as the Pharaohs will rocket to nine points from three matches, while we remain on one point with only three matches left,” he said.

The other match will pit Guinea against Mozambique. Guinea are second on three points, after they beat the Warriors 1-0 at the National Sports Stadium, while Mozambique are on one point, following their goalless draw with Zimbabwe.