Warriors out to shoot down Eagles of Mali

Zimbabwe, who missed the boat for the last two editions of the continental soccer show piece held in Ghana and Angola, are in danger of failing to make the cut again. Norman Mapeza’s charges are in third place in Group A having only managed two points from three games. Cape Verde top the group on seven points followed by Mali with six points and Liberia in fourth place with one point.
They now have to win all their remaining games – including reverse fixtures at home to Mali today and Liberia and an
away visit to Cape Verde and hope that other results go their way to have any hope of making it to the finals, which will be hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. But Mapeza was this week wearing a brave face ahead of the showdown
with Mali. He said he was confident his charges would bounce back into contention with a win over Mali.
“To be frank our situation is complicated, but we can still bounce back if we win against Mali. The training has gone on well except that we have had some injuries to key players like Knowledge Musona and Nyasha Mushekwi. We are working on plan B if they fail to recover but we are confident they will be fit by Sunday,” said Mapeza.
The Warriors will be without veteran midfielder Esrom Nyandoro and right back Noel Kaseke of AC Omonia in Cyprus because of injuries. But those available can still represent the country with distinction as they face a star studded Mali. Mali boast an array of stars playing in the professional European leagues and will be hoping to complete back to back victories over the Warriors after beating them 1-0 in the first leg in March in Bamako.