Warriors set to revive AFCON campaign

Coach Norman Mapeza has a tough task trying to revive Zimbabwe's 2012 Africa Cup of Nations dream by getting a result away to Mali on Saturday.
Zimbabwe's campaign has veered off the rails after two draws away to Liberia and at home to Cape Verde in their first two games.
Now they need to avoid defeat in possibly the toughest away fixture on the list to keep alive dwindling prospects of qualification.
"This is a big game which could be more difficult than the first two against Liberia and Cape Verde," captain Method Mwanjali told the local media early in the week.
"We need to win in Mali and we are going to put in everything into this game although it is always difficult playing away from home," he added.
But while a victory would be ideal for the Warriors, a draw is clearly a more realistic target.
In a way, Saturday's match is in fact is a lopsided battle, with Mali able to field a team consisting entirely of players based in the French top-flight.
Mapeza on the other hand is depending quite heavily on Zimbabwe's Absa Premiership brigade.
Worse still, injury has robbed him of the energy of wingback Onismor Bhasera down the left channel, as well as Knowledge Musona's sharpness upfront.
Yet the Warriors hardly have a choice but to summon all their battling qualities and avoid being overrun in Bamako.
Mapeza can draw some inspiration from the fact that Mali's recent form has been anything but intimidating.
They faired badly at the Afcon 2010 finals in Angola, finishing third in a lightweight group comprising Malawi, Algeria and the hosts.
Things have not been smooth sailing in the current campaign either, and they will have to make do without star player Seydou Keita of Barcelona on Saturday.
The Eagles opened their account with a moral sapping 1-0 loss to Cape Verde before registering a slender 2-1 home win over lowly Liberia.
Mapeza likely will start with a partnership of Nyasha Mushekwi and Sudan based Edward Sadomba upfront.
The absence of Clement Matawu and Tafadzwa Rusike could pave the way for France-based Ovidy Karuru and debutant Khama Billiat to occupy the wide midfield positions.
But the inform Dynamos duo of Denvar Mukamba and Archford Gutu will also be looking to have a say on proceedings.
Kaiser Chiefs hard man Tinashe Nengomasha and Austria-based Justice Majabvi should do the dirty work in central midfield, while Belgium based Vusa Nyoni is looks set to secure the left-back position ahead of the inexperienced Qadr Amin.
Mapeza has hinted at playing Mwanjali at right-back, paving the way for Dynamos' Guthrie Zhokinyu to partner Thomas Sweswe in the centre of defence.
Washington Arubi has kept goal for Zimbabwe in the first two qualifiers but South Africa based Tapuwa Kapini has been in fine form lately.
Mapeza is convinced Zimbabwe stand a chance in Saturday's tie after a week of intense preparation.
"We emphasised on gelling up the team from the back to the attack… We want to be mobile against our physical opponents.
"I'm happy with the response by the players. We have a clean bill of health and have nothing to complain about so far," he told the media in Bamako on Thursday.