The ManicaPost
MOFFAT MUNGADZI’S – FOOTY FOOT NOTES
WITH the Zimbabwe Warriors trooping into battle this weekend for their ultimate 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, exorcising the Red Devils of Congo Brazzavile’s demons and ghosts should effectively pave our pathway to the tournament’s finals.
For coach Chidzambwa this Sunday should be historic as he will seek to become the gaffer who takes us to the Promised Land — the Land of the Pyramids in this case — while scoring a personal milestone as being the only coach to mastermind another dance with the continent’s football aristocrats for the Warriors, his second overall. From defence through the midfield right up to the attack we need get things right.
If our goalie Chigova will be agile enough as he swings between the sticks like George of the Jungle then he can tame the Red Devils’ raids. A dose of divinity for defender Divine Lunga, as he lunges into tackles to thwart the Congo attacks, is the protection our goal area needs. Hadebe is no longer a teenager at this level of the game and will be hard on the opposition strikers to shut them out.
Roving fullback Pfumbidzayi might draw inspiration from his Portuguese namesake Ronaldo and be a game-changing and match-winning player. With the gritty Munetsi marshalling our midfield we should be good to go, while Danny “Deco” Phiri alongside him puts in a decorated display. Running rings round the Congo defence, lively winger Chawapiwa’s talent will be on show. Our skipper Musona boasts both the knowledge and charisma to lead from the front as he smiles while assassinating the boys from Brazzaville’s dreams of an Afcon finals appearance. If forward Khama Billiat hits the right form and helps our cause to fruition, then this should be karma returning to spite the visitors for having left us in a similar quandary 28 years ago when our talisman was hardly out of his diapers and only one month shy of his first birthday. Kuda Mahachi, if he enjoys some minutes, will kid us not because this is a crucial match.
Even if Muskwee does not get a run, this should be an admirable show from his teammates as we book a place to Egypt.
For Nakamba, securing qualification would be a marvellous spectacle as he cheers on from the sidelines sitting out injured. Playing their 12th man role, the supporters in the stands can spur the team to glory. And at the end of 90 minutes, after a fruitful outing on the afternoon, tears of ecstasy will well up in team manager Wellington Mpandare’s eyes as we stand at the gates of the Land of the Pharaohs.
Zimbabwe can bring the same devastation as Cyclone Idai to Congo Brazzaville as we whirl our way to the tournament finals!
Go, Warriors, Go!
Goals, Warriors, Goals!
If it is about football that you care let’s share the cheer because we are made for the game, mad about the game!
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