The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Sports Reporter—
ZIMBABWE plunges into the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations battle being the only hope for the southern part of the continent and after their final preparatory match against Cameroon on Tuesday night, their captain, Willard Katsande believes the team is in right shape and form to secure a last eight slot.
However, this will only happen if the Warriors improve on dealing with crosses in defence as well as keep the right distances in the middle of the park.
The Warriors secured a morale boosting one-all draw with Cameroon in the Indomitable Lion’s den on Monday night, in a match that neutrals felt the Warriors matched, if not outplayed their feared opponents.
The Gabon 2017 tournament rolls into life tomorrow (Saturday) in the West African country capital of Libraville, but the Warriors open their account with a date against Desert Foxes of Algeria on Sunday.
In an interview from Yaoundé on Wednesday morning, Katsande said they had learnt a number of lessons from the match against Cameroon, among them the need to improve on dealing with crosses in defence as well as keeping the right distances in the middle of the park.
He said the work spirit prevailing in their camp as well as the zeal to work for one another will make them match their highly rated opponents, man for man.
“I think the match against Cameroon was very crucial since we had not managed to play a competitive practice match before departure. The match was crucial to test combinations and to gauge our preparedness in terms of fitness.
“One of the important lessons we got is that we need to improve on dealing with crosses in defence as well as keeping the right distances in the middle of the park.
“I have no doubt that we have a squad that can compete very well and our strength lies in the zeal to work for one another, that only will make us match our opponents, man for man,” he said.
The gritty midfielder, who stamped authority as he played a true captain’s role in that match against Cameroon on Tuesday night, said the team had put behind disturbances that rocked camp before their departure in Harare.
“We are professionals and can easily talk things over. We are here to win and we will aim at nothing less than that,” Katsande said.
A shocking last-gasp miss by Nyasha Mushekwi prevented the Zimbabwe Warriors from recording a famous victory over Cameroon in their backyard in the international friendly in Yaounde.
The China-based striker was presented with a golden opportunity to win the match deep in time added on, but he somehow missed when it appeared easier to score.
Mushekwi had come in as a 65th minute replacement for Cuthbert Malajila after Warriors coach, Callisto Pasuwa rang the changes in the second half and brought in his talisman, Khama Billiat, Knowledge Musona, Oscar Machapa, Matthew Rusike and Bruce Kangwa.
Orlando Pirates striker, Tendai Ngoro shot the visitors into the lead after just 14 minutes.
Ndoro, the leading South African Premiership goal scorer, thought he had grabbed his first Warriors brace, but his effort 10 minutes later was ruled offside.
Then the Indomitable Lions were awarded a penalty when forward Sally Edgard was adjudged to have been felled in the box and the hosts’ skipper Benjamin Moukandjo converted, to ensure the two sides went to the breather level.
It remained level until the end of the game although Mushekwi unbelievably dragged his low shot wide after being sent clear on goal by fellow substitute Knowledge Musona in the second minute of the referee’s five minutes of optional time.
Pasuwa did not tinker with his defence which had goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva between the posts and the usual suspects – Costa Nhamoinesu, Elisha Muroiwa, Onismor Bhasera and Hardlife Zvirekwi forming the rearguard.
Skipper Willard Katsande and Danny Phiri completed the starting cast.
Pasuwa’s men will now head to Gabon tomorrow with their confidence still intact after having also fought a 0-0 draw against Cote d’Ivoire in Abidjan on Boxing Day.
The team was welcomed by the humid conditions currently prevailing in the region.
The international friendly against Cameroon was the last competitive preparatory match for the Warriors ahead of the group matches which start this Saturday.
After opening their campaign on Sunday against the Desert Foxes, the Warriors face the Senegalese four days later in Franceville.
Their last group match will be against Tunisia on January 23.
