The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Sports Correspondent
WITH the 2021 Afcon qualifiers having gone just past the halfway stage, former Warriors hitman, Alois “Gazza” Bunjira has tipped Zimbabwe to finish off the job and secure qualification to the finals.
After four rounds of fixtures, the Warriors are clinging onto second position, with their western and northern neighbours Botswana and Zambia in hot pursuit.
With reigning African champions Algeria (10 points) already through, it leaves Group H wide open.
Zimbabwe (five points) battle Botswana (four) and 2012 winners, Zambia (four) for the other remaining slot.
Very little separates the three teams, with only one point standing between the chasing contenders. Two games are left to play.
Bunjira, who has deep-running family roots in the Eastern Highlands and sponsors a football tournament in Honde Valley, reckons there is everything to play in what promises to be a tightly contested race.
“Going by how the qualifiers have panned out so far, I believe we have put ourselves in a prime position to secure qualification. We stand a good chance of making it if we perform well in the remaining encounters. That we are second and still to play our direct rival puts our fate in our own hands and we have to decide it.
“It will not be easy by any means, but where there is a will there is a way. I think we have fared well enough to remain a competitive force. Qualification is in our firm grasp and we cannot afford to let it slip away. We have to eliminate our direct rivals — Botswana and Zambia — by beating them,” said Bunjira, who was part of the pioneer cast which represented the nation during their maiden appearance at the 2004 Afcon competition in Tunisia.
The former CAPS United star, however, spoke against complacency.
“In football anything can happen and we have to be wary of a potential banana skin. We should not take things for granted, but take each game as it comes. It is one step at a time until we reach the destination.
“We are running our own race and should not overly rely on other results elsewhere in the group. If they happen to go our way, then that will be a welcome bonus. We, therefore, have to do the job ourselves. This requires that we keep our eyes on the ball. Staying in contention is crucial,” said the ex-Bidvest Wits and Mamelodi Sundowns attacker.
Now a respected football pundit, Bunjira is convinced that the squad is brimming with talent that can deliver.
Said the 1996 soccer star of the year first runner-up: “We are actually in a better position now than we were in the past. Back in the day there used to be only Bruce Globbelar, Peter Ndlovu and Norman Mapeza playing at the highest level abroad, but now we have several of our footballers, not only turning out in some of the leading leagues across the globe, but actually doing very well there. Names like Knowledge Musona, Marvellous Nakamba, Tino Kadewere and Marshal Munetsi, among others, easily come to mind.
“The quality is there in this group of players and with determination, it is possible to do great things. Now we have to do justice in harnessing that talent we boast. We have to be an ambitious lot and aim higher.
“However, the coach is relatively new and many players are coming from different bases across the globe. It requires more time to get them going and develop an effective system of playing,” he said.
Bunjira, who has made his interest in running for the Zifa presidency public, challenged the boys to rise to the occasion.
“Something has been taken away from us and we have suffered for a long time. We have to clear the mental block that we are not good enough. It holds us back and inhibits our progress. Reclaiming the belief that we are good enough is important in bolstering our spirits. As the Warriors, we should be known as indefatigable fighters who never give up,” he said.
With good preparations, the ex-sharp shooter believes Zimbabwe can make a fourth appearance at the biennial tournament.
Said Bunjira, a feared gunslinger in his heyday: “The secret to succeeding in this game is through proper planning. Between now and our next qualifier early next year, we have to organise at least two training camps and one exhibition match against a strong or competitive team. This will come in handy by helping us warm up for the remaining crucial games. Making the most of the Fifa calendar will be for our own good.”
