Sports / Soccer
Go Warriors Go!
04 Sep 2011 at 11:21hrs | Views
THE Warriors are ready to knock the lights out of the Lone Star of Liberia in this afternoon's epic 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the National Sports Stadium.
Morale went through the roof last night with skipper Method Mwanjali being certified fit for battle after sitting out Friday's workout with a back problem.
Not that a negative medical report would have stopped Mwanjali from defending his country's cause!
"Nothing will stop me from playing in this one," a visibly in pain Mwanjali ' with an ice pack firmly strapped on his back ' had told reporters on the sidelines of Friday's workout at the match venue.
A victory will see Zimbabwe extinguishing the faint hopes that Liberia have of making it to the biennial dance and, more importantly, put the Warriors in a good position ahead of the final qualifier away to Cape Verde.
It's a must-win tie for coach Norman Mapeza and his lads.
Mapeza spent the week calling for composure from his troops, highlighting the importance of keeping possession and the swift transition from attack to defence.
And after a series of workouts that saw all the 18 players he called for duty giving their all, the Warriors gaffer is optimistic that skipper Mwanjali and his lieutenants will deliver in front of an expectant nation.
"It's a must-win game for us and the pressure is on us, but we have to be calm about it and stick to our game plan. Our preparations went on well with the boys looking sharp and ready to deliver," said Mapeza.
Mwanjali is expected to partner Daniel Vheremu, who fills in for the suspended Thomas Sweswe, at the heart of defence while Tapiwa Kapini once again guards goal.
Gilbert Mapemba ' a devout Muslim who marked Ramadan as did teammate Qadr Amini ' reclaims the right back position ahead of Tapiwa Khumbuyani who did duty during the international friendly.
Vusa Nyoni slots in at left back while Tinashe Nengomasha, Willard "Bute" Katsande pull strings in the middle of the park with Khama Billiat and Quincy Antipas offering width.
Ovidy Karuru, a star performer in the 2-1 win over Mali, will fill the hole with the mandate of fashioning out chances for lone striker Edward "Duduza" Sadomba.
It's a 4-4-1-1 formation and if the way it all came together at training is anything to go by, then the Liberians, who emphasise that they jetted into Harare on a mission to collect maximum points, are in for a tough afternoon.
The Lone Star, with the assistance of some diabolical officiating, salvaged a draw in the reverse fixture in Monrovia and in South African-based striker Anthony Laffor they have a proven goal scorer.
But for all the tough talk of their coach Roberto Landi, the visitors are known to be poor travellers, having been hammered 4-2 on their visit to Cape Verde before falling 1-2 in Bamako.
Liberia are there for the taking.
Go Warriors, Go!
Warriors Starting XI
T. Kapini, G. Mapemba, M. Mwanjali, D. Vheremu, V. Nyoni, T. Nengomasha, W. Katsande, O. Karuru, K. Billiat, Q. Antipas, E. Sadomba.
Morale went through the roof last night with skipper Method Mwanjali being certified fit for battle after sitting out Friday's workout with a back problem.
Not that a negative medical report would have stopped Mwanjali from defending his country's cause!
"Nothing will stop me from playing in this one," a visibly in pain Mwanjali ' with an ice pack firmly strapped on his back ' had told reporters on the sidelines of Friday's workout at the match venue.
A victory will see Zimbabwe extinguishing the faint hopes that Liberia have of making it to the biennial dance and, more importantly, put the Warriors in a good position ahead of the final qualifier away to Cape Verde.
It's a must-win tie for coach Norman Mapeza and his lads.
Mapeza spent the week calling for composure from his troops, highlighting the importance of keeping possession and the swift transition from attack to defence.
And after a series of workouts that saw all the 18 players he called for duty giving their all, the Warriors gaffer is optimistic that skipper Mwanjali and his lieutenants will deliver in front of an expectant nation.
"It's a must-win game for us and the pressure is on us, but we have to be calm about it and stick to our game plan. Our preparations went on well with the boys looking sharp and ready to deliver," said Mapeza.
Mwanjali is expected to partner Daniel Vheremu, who fills in for the suspended Thomas Sweswe, at the heart of defence while Tapiwa Kapini once again guards goal.
Gilbert Mapemba ' a devout Muslim who marked Ramadan as did teammate Qadr Amini ' reclaims the right back position ahead of Tapiwa Khumbuyani who did duty during the international friendly.
Vusa Nyoni slots in at left back while Tinashe Nengomasha, Willard "Bute" Katsande pull strings in the middle of the park with Khama Billiat and Quincy Antipas offering width.
Ovidy Karuru, a star performer in the 2-1 win over Mali, will fill the hole with the mandate of fashioning out chances for lone striker Edward "Duduza" Sadomba.
It's a 4-4-1-1 formation and if the way it all came together at training is anything to go by, then the Liberians, who emphasise that they jetted into Harare on a mission to collect maximum points, are in for a tough afternoon.
The Lone Star, with the assistance of some diabolical officiating, salvaged a draw in the reverse fixture in Monrovia and in South African-based striker Anthony Laffor they have a proven goal scorer.
But for all the tough talk of their coach Roberto Landi, the visitors are known to be poor travellers, having been hammered 4-2 on their visit to Cape Verde before falling 1-2 in Bamako.
Liberia are there for the taking.
Go Warriors, Go!
Warriors Starting XI
T. Kapini, G. Mapemba, M. Mwanjali, D. Vheremu, V. Nyoni, T. Nengomasha, W. Katsande, O. Karuru, K. Billiat, Q. Antipas, E. Sadomba.
Source - Sunday Mail
