News / National
Good morning Gabon
06 Jun 2016 at 06:26hrs | Views
GOOD morning Gabon! The Warriors have qualified for the continent's biggest showpiece after hammering Malawi 3-0 in Harare yesterday. Needing Swaziland to beat Guinea for them to secure qualification as Group L leaders with a game to spare, Zimbabwe doused the Flames of Malawi with a convincing performance that left most fans believing.
Swaziland beat Guinea 1-0 at home while Knowledge Musona's converted penalty and Mamelodi Sundowns poster boy Khama Billiat's exquisite finish and Cuthbert Malajila's header ensured the Warriors are the only Southern African side to have secured qualification for the African Cup of Nations yet.
The three are part of the squad that former players believe are the country's Golden Generation. Now they have to seal the qualification in style by either winning or drawing in the dead rubber against Guinea in the return leg in Conakry on the weekend of September 2-4.
By booking a place in the finals, Warriors coach Callisto Pasuwa joined the elite class of Sunday Chidzambwa and Charles Mhlauri, who led the national team to the 2004 and 2006 editions of Afcon.
Chidzambwa became the first gaffer to guide Zimbabwe to the continental football showpiece in Tunisia, while the now United States-based Mhlauri led the Warriors to Egypt for their second appearance.
Dazzy Kapenya, the 2002 Soccer Star of the Year and a member of the squad that went to Egypt said: "It's so nice to see the boys doing it in front of the home crowd. Qualifying for the third time is good for the nation and players' exposure."
He said the onus is now on Zifa to ensure the team gets adequate preparations. "The first hurdle has been cleared and for this Golden Generation to succeed, more friendly matches against tough opponents are needed. Zifa needs to get the Warriors friendlies against West or North African countries," said Kapenya.
Ex-Dream Team striker Agent Sawu believes the present squad has what it takes to go beyond the group stages.
"Potential is there to do better than previous teams that represented the Warriors in Tunisia and Egypt. Now these boys should aim higher and fight to go into the knockout stage. Qualifying for Afcon is good for our football and the players in particular. They've been given an opportunity to showcase their talents at a larger scale where European clubs send their scouts. Those who didn't participate in today's match should work harder with the hope of making it into the team that will travel to Gabon," said Sawu.
He shared Kapenya's sentiments on the Warriors needing adequate preparations. "For us, it was a learning process because we were going for the first time, but I believe that what this team needs is all the support in terms of preparations. Playing lots of friendly matches against competitive nations will go a long way in getting the boys ready for the tournament," said Sawu.
Another former Warrior Alois Bunjira said qualification was long overdue. "This is simply brilliant! This Golden Generation has put smiles on many faces. This was meant to happen. Look at today's squad, they're all well known names and with such great talent. I see this squad going places. Most of them have done well as individuals at club level and to come and be part of the squad that writes its own history is certainly special," Bunjira said.
The former Warriors forward said he was disappointed that Zifa failed to plan for celebrations when they knew that they had a great chance of qualifying yesterday.
"I'm disappointed because the players' moment of glory was stolen from them. They were denied an opportunity to celebrate at the stadium with their fans. Some of the supporters even left the venue not knowing that we've qualified. In future, Zifa need to plan for such events so that they remain memorable," Bunjira said.
Social media was abuzz with messages on the Warriors' victor
What they said on social media
Willard Katsande (Warriors captain): It's not the size of the dog in the fight; it's the size of the fight in the dog. Great win thanks to everyone who supported us. Good morning Gabon
Marvelous Nakamba: Well Done Boyz ?#ýteam ?#ýZimbabwe
Francis Hungwe: The Warriors have made us proud today. A big thank you to Honourable Minister (of Sport and Recreation) Makhosini Hlongwane, (Zifa president) Philip Chiyangwa, (coach) Callisto Pasuwa and myself, not forgetting Sir Wicknell Chivayo for a job well done.
Swaziland beat Guinea 1-0 at home while Knowledge Musona's converted penalty and Mamelodi Sundowns poster boy Khama Billiat's exquisite finish and Cuthbert Malajila's header ensured the Warriors are the only Southern African side to have secured qualification for the African Cup of Nations yet.
The three are part of the squad that former players believe are the country's Golden Generation. Now they have to seal the qualification in style by either winning or drawing in the dead rubber against Guinea in the return leg in Conakry on the weekend of September 2-4.
By booking a place in the finals, Warriors coach Callisto Pasuwa joined the elite class of Sunday Chidzambwa and Charles Mhlauri, who led the national team to the 2004 and 2006 editions of Afcon.
Chidzambwa became the first gaffer to guide Zimbabwe to the continental football showpiece in Tunisia, while the now United States-based Mhlauri led the Warriors to Egypt for their second appearance.
Dazzy Kapenya, the 2002 Soccer Star of the Year and a member of the squad that went to Egypt said: "It's so nice to see the boys doing it in front of the home crowd. Qualifying for the third time is good for the nation and players' exposure."
He said the onus is now on Zifa to ensure the team gets adequate preparations. "The first hurdle has been cleared and for this Golden Generation to succeed, more friendly matches against tough opponents are needed. Zifa needs to get the Warriors friendlies against West or North African countries," said Kapenya.
Ex-Dream Team striker Agent Sawu believes the present squad has what it takes to go beyond the group stages.
"Potential is there to do better than previous teams that represented the Warriors in Tunisia and Egypt. Now these boys should aim higher and fight to go into the knockout stage. Qualifying for Afcon is good for our football and the players in particular. They've been given an opportunity to showcase their talents at a larger scale where European clubs send their scouts. Those who didn't participate in today's match should work harder with the hope of making it into the team that will travel to Gabon," said Sawu.
Another former Warrior Alois Bunjira said qualification was long overdue. "This is simply brilliant! This Golden Generation has put smiles on many faces. This was meant to happen. Look at today's squad, they're all well known names and with such great talent. I see this squad going places. Most of them have done well as individuals at club level and to come and be part of the squad that writes its own history is certainly special," Bunjira said.
The former Warriors forward said he was disappointed that Zifa failed to plan for celebrations when they knew that they had a great chance of qualifying yesterday.
"I'm disappointed because the players' moment of glory was stolen from them. They were denied an opportunity to celebrate at the stadium with their fans. Some of the supporters even left the venue not knowing that we've qualified. In future, Zifa need to plan for such events so that they remain memorable," Bunjira said.
Social media was abuzz with messages on the Warriors' victor
What they said on social media
Willard Katsande (Warriors captain): It's not the size of the dog in the fight; it's the size of the fight in the dog. Great win thanks to everyone who supported us. Good morning Gabon
Marvelous Nakamba: Well Done Boyz ?#ýteam ?#ýZimbabwe
Francis Hungwe: The Warriors have made us proud today. A big thank you to Honourable Minister (of Sport and Recreation) Makhosini Hlongwane, (Zifa president) Philip Chiyangwa, (coach) Callisto Pasuwa and myself, not forgetting Sir Wicknell Chivayo for a job well done.
Source - chronicle
