Warriors to defend their Cosafa title in Zambia

WARRIORS goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube, who is the most experienced player in the team, is confident that the youthful outfit would be able to defend their Cosafa title in Zambia.

The Zimbabwe national soccer team is scheduled to leave this morning by road to Lusaka before they begin their defence with a clash against the Flames of Malawi on Saturday.

Dube has bounced back into the national set up following an impressive show with his club Caps United.

While the Warriors outfit looks lightweight and without seasoned players, as the coach Klaus Dieter Pagels has thrust his focus on a rebuilding exercise, Dube has seen it all.

He has featured in the tournament before. And he believes he has seen it all and will inspire the players who would be led by skipper Masimba Mambare.

Yesterday, after a morning workout at the National Sports Stadium, the former Masvingo and FC Platinum goalminder was confident.

"l have played in a Cosafa tournament before and I obviously have some experience. But our team is balanced and chances are high that we will win the cup again. Every player starts from somewhere so these players will prove a point in this tournament.

"We know there would be scouts looking for talent so everyone will try his best. Given the chance I will also do my best.  I am enjoying my football and would want to help Zimbabwe defend the title," said Dube.

The goalkeeper said the players are aware that most of the supporters appear to have lost confidence in the national team which has become a punching bag.

But Dube believes they have the capacity and strength to go all the way.

"As players we are used to the criticism. But we are going to Zambia to show everyone what we are capable of and the rest will follow later," said Dube.

His fellow goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya, who went to Blantyre when the local based Warriors played an international friendly match in May was optimistic that they will finish off the Flames at a neutral venue.

"We have a strong team and at training everyone is geared. With the way we played in Malawi, we stand a very good chance to win. In that match we didn't train as a team and now we have had a lot of time to train together and should improve and beat them," said Diya.

Yesterday, the Warriors lost Black Mambas midfielder Nicholas Alufandika, who was injured and would no longer be part of the team which is scheduled to leave this morning.

Coach Pagels said they will now leave with 19 players.

"The players are adapting well to the style and should play well. But we have a problem with Nicholas. His ankle, and the doctors have advised us that he has to rest for two weeks and is now out of the tournament.

"He didn't train today (yesterday) and we are not replacing anyone as he plays on the left side of the midfield and we have many players in that position.

"The rest of the players are in good shape. Ocean Mushure has a headache and did not train in the morning but should be fine," said Pagels.

The German coach who was not part of the team which travelled to Malawi said his assistants have helped him to prepare and what to expect from the Flames.

"It is really good to have Malawi in the opening match. Lloyd (Mutasa) has told me what to expect from them. It is a knockout game and we have to definitely win this match. We have a good chance to win this match after we drew in Malawi. We have been working hard with the team and these two days have really helped us.

"We are scheduled to leave early in the morning and should have enough time to rest before we train again on Friday," said Pagels.

According to the match training venue schedule released by the organisers, Zimbabwe have been booked to train at the match venue Nkoloma Stadium tomorrow.