The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Sports Correspondent
WITH two crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers looming large on the horizon this month, the Warriors face a defining moment as they battle to secure qualification for the 2021 finals.
In the potentially explosive showdown, Zimbabwe go on the hunt away to the Zebras of Botswana on March 25, before hosting northern neighbours, Zambia, just four days later to conclude the qualifying campaign.
It is all systems go for the two Group H fixtures, with a ticket to the competition finals at stake.
With table-toppers and title holders Algeria (10 points) already through, the second slot in this pool is up for grabs. There is everything to play for as the three opponents battle for a runners-up spot.
Only a single point separates the trio respectively.
Zimbabwe sit second on five points, while Botswana (four) are third and Zambia (three) anchor the standings.
The Warriors have fate firmly placed in their own hands and can outdo their direct rivals, whom they play in two matches inside five days, elbowing them out of contention.
With the national squad out to decide their own destiny, the team’s former midfielder, Lazarus “Mali” Muhoni, has called on the Warriors to go for the jugular.
“The importance of these two fixtures cannot be overemphasised considering what is in it for us. The good thing is that we can make or break our own campaign as it is still within our control. To put it into context, our boys will have a head start going into the encounters because they are in a leading position which they simply need to consolidate to make our cause good.
“This demands that we win both matches against Botswana and Zambia, taking it one match at a time. Our victory will effectively eliminate them from the equation and it gets us done and dusted. We have to do the job ourselves and not overly rely on results elsewhere in the group’s other qualifiers.
“If those results happen to favour us, then it should come as a bonus. Winning our own games, which we should go all out for, makes the job easier for us,” said Muhoni, whose solitary strike against Mali in the qualifiers set up Zimbabwe on the path to successfully qualify for the finals for the first ever time at the 2004 jamboree in Tunisia.
With Zimbabwe failing to secure several of its international players for the crunch ties, their preparations have suffered a severe setback.
The bulk of the troops plying their trade in Europe called up for camp are set to miss national duty after their clubs opted not to release them owing to the Covid-19 travel restrictions in their host countries.
All UK-based players have been ruled out.
Key men Marvellous Nakamba, Tino Kadewere, Marshal Munetsi, Tendayi Darikwa, David Moyo and Admiral Muskwe are unavailable.
Trump card Khama Billiat is also doubtful as he is nursing an injury.
Inspirational skipper, Knowledge Musona, has, however, confirmed he will make it.
Left in a quandary, coach Zdravko “Loga” Logarusic has bemoaned the situation as his plans will likely be thrown into disarray.
But despite the glitches, Muhoni believes his compatriots have what it takes to pull it off.
“We must not allow these challenges to distract and deter us from achieving our goal. Even without some key players, we still have to make do with the available material and fulfil these fixtures. We cannot afford to miss the target. We have to show on the pitch that they do not call us Warriors for nothing.
“In fact, this presents other fringe players with a chance to take centre stage and prove their mettle. They can actually relish the challenge to rise to the occasion. I think we have a capable pool of players good enough to deliver. With maximum effort they can make a mark. High levels of concentration are required. As such, our boys need to be confident and stay focused. With determination and the right application, we can make it. What is key, therefore, is to keep our eyes on the ball,” he said.
The former Buffaloes and Black Rhinos man also warned the Warriors against complacency as that can become their biggest undoing.
Cautioned the Sakubva-bred ex-star: “We have to be at our best. Qualifiers are anybody’s game and can go either way. There are no pushovers. Remember Botswana held us to a 0-0 stalemate at home and Zambia will be itching to avenge that defeat we handed them in their own backyard in the reverse tie.”
With the momentous games only four days apart of each other, he added, thorough preparations should be a priority.
“Because there is not much time between the two matches, we have to be really geared up. Sending our troops into battle ill prepared will terribly backfire with disastrous consequences. This is the coaches’ task – to ensure that the players are prepared physically and psychologically.
“Working on the right combinations, the team has to be tactically and technically on point. Without tinkering with the squad, the backbone of the squad must be retained. We should make changes only when there are injuries or for tactical reasons,” said Muhoni, who was among the pioneering group that represented the country during their maiden appearance at the biennial tournament.
After enduring an ignominious campaign at the African Nations Championships early this year, Zimbabwe will be keen to make an immediate return to Cameroon.
Qualification for Afcon will salvage something and bring back smiles on the fans’ faces.
“That Chan chapter is closed and behind us now. If the previous outing was a debacle, we can always make up for it. Looking ahead with renewed optimism, Afcon presents us with an opportunity to bounce back in style. We ought to redeem ourselves and continue pulling our weight so we do not regress,” said the retired footballer.
Muhoni was a goal-scoring midfielder of repute in his heyday.
He is now making huge strides in the game’s administration.
It is certainly game on as the Warriors face the moment of truth.
