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Warriors hunt Indomitable Lions
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The Warriors are set to take on Cameroon in a decisive Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group J qualifier today, with both teams having already secured their places for next year's tournament in Morocco. Despite the qualification confirmation, the top spot in the group remains up for grabs, adding extra motivation to the clash.
Cameroon currently leads the group with 11 points, while Zimbabwe follows closely with 9 points going into the final match. A victory for Zimbabwe would see them leapfrog Cameroon and secure top position in the group.
Warriors coach Michael Nees is determined to approach the match with seriousness, emphasizing that the game holds significant importance, not just for the group standings but also for the team's FIFA rankings.
"We are not here for a holiday," Nees said in a press conference ahead of the tie. "Even though both teams have qualified, it's still a football match that we have to take seriously with the best possible performance. The fans pay money to watch it, and we have to respect everyone. The group is not decided yet; first place is not guaranteed to anyone. We both have a chance to top the group, and this could make for a more exciting match."
The German coach also highlighted the significance of FIFA rankings, noting that a better ranking could improve Zimbabwe's seeding for future tournaments. "You need to take every game seriously because it counts on FIFA rankings, and the better your ranking, the better your seeding in the next tournament," he added. "We have not lost a game in the last five matches and we want to continue like that."
While Nees is committed to maintaining Zimbabwe's unbeaten record in the qualifiers, he is also planning to give some of the less frequently used players a chance to play, potentially making changes to his lineup.
Unfortunately, the Warriors will be without Vice-captain Marshall Munetsi, who has been ruled out with a thigh injury, as well as defender Gerald Takwara, who is also sidelined due to injury concerns. Nees confirmed that Munetsi had struggled with a thigh injury before the international break, which worsened, leading to his departure from the squad.
"We have a few injury concerns, but we are excited. We are playing a big team in Africa, but we are not scared," Nees said. "We have good players, very skillful, and though not as physically imposing as the Cameroonians, football is about balance—big men and smaller men working together to create a cohesive team."
As Zimbabwe prepares to face Cameroon, Nees remains confident in the quality of his squad but acknowledged the challenge of balancing team selection. "I must also look at the players' condition. Some of them may not have fully recovered, and I must find a squad that can face Cameroon while giving others a chance to play. If we lose, you [the media] will complain, so we need to find the right balance. We want to get a result but must be cautious in how we approach things," he concluded.
With both teams aiming for a strong finish in the group, today's match is expected to be an exciting encounter, and Zimbabwe will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run and claim top spot in Group J.
Cameroon currently leads the group with 11 points, while Zimbabwe follows closely with 9 points going into the final match. A victory for Zimbabwe would see them leapfrog Cameroon and secure top position in the group.
Warriors coach Michael Nees is determined to approach the match with seriousness, emphasizing that the game holds significant importance, not just for the group standings but also for the team's FIFA rankings.
"We are not here for a holiday," Nees said in a press conference ahead of the tie. "Even though both teams have qualified, it's still a football match that we have to take seriously with the best possible performance. The fans pay money to watch it, and we have to respect everyone. The group is not decided yet; first place is not guaranteed to anyone. We both have a chance to top the group, and this could make for a more exciting match."
The German coach also highlighted the significance of FIFA rankings, noting that a better ranking could improve Zimbabwe's seeding for future tournaments. "You need to take every game seriously because it counts on FIFA rankings, and the better your ranking, the better your seeding in the next tournament," he added. "We have not lost a game in the last five matches and we want to continue like that."
Unfortunately, the Warriors will be without Vice-captain Marshall Munetsi, who has been ruled out with a thigh injury, as well as defender Gerald Takwara, who is also sidelined due to injury concerns. Nees confirmed that Munetsi had struggled with a thigh injury before the international break, which worsened, leading to his departure from the squad.
"We have a few injury concerns, but we are excited. We are playing a big team in Africa, but we are not scared," Nees said. "We have good players, very skillful, and though not as physically imposing as the Cameroonians, football is about balance—big men and smaller men working together to create a cohesive team."
As Zimbabwe prepares to face Cameroon, Nees remains confident in the quality of his squad but acknowledged the challenge of balancing team selection. "I must also look at the players' condition. Some of them may not have fully recovered, and I must find a squad that can face Cameroon while giving others a chance to play. If we lose, you [the media] will complain, so we need to find the right balance. We want to get a result but must be cautious in how we approach things," he concluded.
With both teams aiming for a strong finish in the group, today's match is expected to be an exciting encounter, and Zimbabwe will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run and claim top spot in Group J.
Source - newsday
