By Eddie Chikamhi
For 90 minutes tomorrow, 14 million Zimbabweans will hold their breath as the Warriors take their final shot at qualifying for this year’s Afcon finals at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow.
Zimbabwe need one point to seal their destiny but coach Sunday Chidzambwa says they will not leave anything to chance after faltering in the last two matches against the Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia.
Chidzambwa has appealed to Zimbabweans to come and fill the giant stadium and provide the ambience that should spur on the Warriors to finish off the campaign on a high.
“Our fans are starved of victories and they must come in their thousands, rally behind the boys and help them out to win the match.
“I think both sides will be attacking but you have to attack and defend at the same time. So, we are not going to wait for them to attack us. We will also attack.
“They have good players, most of them play in Europe and from what we saw in the first leg, it’s going to be tough for both teams,” said Chidzambwa.
The group remains open with all the four teams, including DRC and Liberia who clash in Kinshasa, still in with a chance to progress to the finals of Africa’s premier football competition.
Chidzambwa and his technical team have kept their fingers crossed for skipper Knowledge Musona, who missed the last two weeks of action due to a groin injury he suffered at his Belgian club Lokeren.
Midfielder Marvellous Nakamba has since been ruled out but the veteran coach is still hopeful the players at his disposal can fulfil duty.
Chidzambwa has kept faith in most of his charges including Khama Builliat, Evans Rusike, Kuda Mahachi, George Chigova, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Marshall Munetsi, Tendayi Darikwa, Tino Kadewere and Wales based Alec Mudimu.
There are also new players who have not played a part in the campaign like Godknows Murwira, Butholezwe Ncube, Admiral Muskwe and Kelvin Lunga who have excited the coach during the preparations.
The coach is expected to trim his squad today.
“Most of these guys play in foreign countries and I think they are used to these kind of games.
“The new guys are good players and, for us coaches, I think it’s going to be difficult to pick the first 11.
“But we have to pick the team and play the game,” said Chidzambwa.
Zimbabwe squad
Goalkeepers: George Chigova, Edmore Sibanda, Petros Mhari.
Defenders: Divine Lunga, Marshall Munetsi, Teenage Hadebe, Alec Mudimu, Tendayi Darikwa, Jimmy Dzingai, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Godknows Murwira.
Midfielders: Tafadzwa Kutinyu, Richard Hachiro, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Leeroy Mavhunga, Knowledge Musona, Ovidy Karuru, Butholezwe Ncube, Kelvin Lunga, Khama Billiat, Danny Phiri, Talent Chawapihwa.
Strikers: Tinotenda Kadewere, Evans Rusike, Admiral Muskwe, Knox Mutizwa, Amudu Abbas. The Chronicle.
