A Date With Destiny

Gumbo’s place as the football administrator of the year.
What a sensational story this has been for a team that was down, and certainly out, just a few months ago.
Now, a ticket to the All-Africa Games beckons, and all they need is to beat Angola or, in the worst case scenario, stop the visitors from scoring.
It’s all happening at Rufaro tomorrow and a huge crowd is expected in a match where fans will watch the game free of charge.
The Angolans believe they will stop the Mighty Warriors and said yesterday they now know the hosts’ weaknesses and they will exploit them.
Zimbabwe and the Palancas Negras drew 1-1 in the first leg of the last qualifying round a fortnight ago.
An Angolan delegation of 28 touched down at the Harare International Airport yesterday and assistant coach Simao Jose said they have as equal a chance as the hosts to win the ticket to the Maputo Games.
Angola received a bye in the preliminary round and their first match was against the Mighty Warriors in Dundo while their opponents had to beat the challenge of Zambia, whom they beat 4-1 on aggregate.
And they believe they will spoil the Zimba-bwean party tomorrow.
“We will try and pass the test. We have 50-50 chances with Zimbabwe.
“We have made a few changes to the team, which played in Dundo and we will try to exploit the weak points of Zimbabwe, which we noticed in the first match.
“We are hopeful we will win but either of the teams have a chance to win the match.
“Zimbabwe have a good team with players who are mobile,” said Jose.
The gaffer said although they were not used to playing on artificial turf they believe they will not face any difficulties with the surface at Rufaro.
“I don’t think we will have any problems with that turf. We had few sessions at home on artificial turf and will also have a chance to train on it tomorrow. We will be fine,” said Jose.
While the visitors looked calm and relaxed on arrival and it was the same story in the hosts’ camp as the team had a swimming session in the morning before a training session at Rufaro later in the day.
Today, after a morning session, the team will loosen up with an ice bath session before the decisive match.
The goalkeepers have been getting assistance from Monomotapa goalkeepers’ coach Nkululeko Sibanda.
Coach Rose Mugadza is likely to make a few changes to the team, which played in the first match.
She said the changes were necessary to counter the threat of the Angolans.
In the probable team availed by the coach last night, there were indications that goalkeeper Onai Chingawo will pave way for Chido Dzingirai.
Mugadza said the veteran goalkeeper is nursing a thigh injury and may not be part of the team.
Also coming into the fray is centreback Rhoda Jongondi, who is set to replace Nobuhle Majika, while striker Rufaro Machingura, who had a subdued game in Dundo, is set to be replaced by Samukeliswe Zulu.
Marjoury Nyaumwe, who operates behind the strikers, is also likely to lose her place in the starting line up.
However, on-fire forward Rudo Neshamba, who scored in Angola, fullbacks Eunice Chibanda and Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri, centreback Lilian Masase and midfielders Talent Mandaza and Nokuthula Ndlovu, who will be celebrating her birthday tomorrow, are likely to retain their places in the team.
Mugadza said they would be seeking an early goal to unsettle the visitors.
“We are attacking and defending as a team. We need an early goal to frustrate them,” said Mugadza.
Zimbabwe need a win or a goalless draw to book a ticket to the Games while a 1-1 draw will force the match into penalties.
The Mighty Warriors should closely guard Angolan forward Mario do Destino who was a handful in Dundo whenever she was in possession and converted the 19th minute penalty given to the hosts.
The match will be handled by referees from Tanzania while the match commissioner is from Malawi.
The match is for free and will also be broadcast live on television.