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Online Reporter
FORMER Zimbabwe International, Benjani Mwaruwari has challenged the Warriors to come of age and qualify for the knockout stage of the Afcon finals.
Morocco will host the event in December which will a gathering of the top 24 countries in Africa.
The Warriors qualified for the finals after finishing second to Cameroon in Group J.
In an interview last night, Benjani said the Warriors have to rise to the occasion and beat Egypt, who are the record former champions.
The Warriors were drawn alongside Angola, Egypt, and South Africa.
“If we are to be counted among the best in Africa, we must fight to get to the later stages of such competitions.
“I challenge the boys to beat Egypt, who are the favourites. Once we beat them a draw and even outright wins, will see us through to the next round,and then we would have arrived on to the big stage. “Thereafter it becomes anybody’s game,” said the former Warriors skipper.
Benjani was part of the Warriors team coached by Charles Mhlauri which was knocked out in the first round in Egypt in 2006.
He said there are 11 months to the finals, which is good time to prepare.
“We have up to a year to prepare, the coaches can cast their net wide, get the team involved in friendlies and other tournaments, then whittle down selection to good probables for Morocco.”
There is the Cosafa Cup and World Cup qualifiers for the Warriors to gel in before Morocco in December.
Recently elected ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi attended the draw.
Online Reporter