‘We can turn the tables’

01 Oct, 2021 - 00:10 0 Views
‘We can turn the tables’ Washington Arubi

The ManicaPost

Ray Bande
Senior Reporter

WARRIORS goalkeeper, Washington Arubi, believes the current squad under the tutelage of Norman Mapeza has the capacity to take the game to their highly rated opponents and put the World Cup qualifying campaign back on the rails.

The Warriors agonisingly watched their campaign go up in smoke under clueless coach, Zdravko Logarusic who was eventually shown the exit and replaced by Mapeza.

Warriors remain winless in the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after succumbing to a morale sapping 0-1 defeat to Ethiopia in their second Group G encounter.

After the goalless draw at home against South Africa, the Warriors went into the tie against Ethiopia seeking a win to revive their hopes of reaching the final phase of the World Cup qualifiers.

In the end, it was another disappointing outing for the Warriors after they conceded a stoppage time goal.

But Arubi, who is one of the oldest players in the current squad, and has been in the Warriors’ line-up against the Black Stars of Ghana before, albeit in a different competition, is convinced that they can change the complexion of the campaign.

The Marumo Gallants goalkeeper reckons that the back-to-back matches against the Black Stars will not be as easy as the CHAN encounter that the two played while he was between the sticks in Sudan.

“Personally, as a professional, I take each and every game as it comes. I am always working hard in preparation for anything that comes my way and I am happy that I have installed that mindset in my teammates at club and national levels.

“So, it is just a matter of preparing better for the next opponent, bearing in mind that a result will be achieved. Not taking anything away from Ghana, it will be guns blazing when we face the Black Stars.

“We have the arsenal to fight for the nation. We are mentally strong and physically fit as a team. We only have to work hard and be positive. At the same time, everything is possible in life. It is not how you start, but it is about how you finish it. I am seeing us turning the tables for the better,” said Arubi.

The Warriors’ technical team is hoping to have all the European-based stars flying straight to Ghana from their bases and meet the rest of the squad there.

General manager for all national teams, Wellington Mpandare, who is also the Warriors team manager, said the arrangement will allow them more time to rest before the first leg and avoid passing through red-listed countries.

“Foreign based players, especially those in the United Kingdom, will fly straight to Ghana from their bases and meet the rest of the squad there. The arrangement will allow them more time to rest before the first leg and avoid passing through red-listed countries,” said Mpandare.

Mapeza will be hoping that the UK-based players will be available.

They were barred by their clubs from travelling for the matches against South Africa and Ethiopia because of Covid-19 complications.

Aston Villa midfielder, Marvellous Nakamba, in-form Bournemouth left-back, Jordan Zemura, Tendayi Darikwa, Brendan Galloway, Admiral Muskwe and David Moyo failed to pitch up for the matches against Bafana Bafana and Ethiopia.

The Warriors are bottom of Group G with a single point after the first two matches.

 

They are behind South Africa who are on top of the log with four points, while Ghana and Ethiopia are both on three points.

Only the top placed team in each of the groups will progress to the next round of qualification.

 

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