adminPhineas Mukwazo
YES, the Taifa Stars of Tanzania are in town, and it promises to be 90 minutes of intense examination for our own Zimbabwe Warriors as this is the encounter that can well determine our further participation in qualifying for Afcon 2015 in Morocco. The collective belief is that we should and according to the optimists among us, we will conquer.
Yes the visitors might have been buoyed by a 1-0 win over Malawi in an international friendly ahead of this encounter, coupled with the fact that they beat us 1-0 in the first leg.
But we also know when we negotiate our way past the Taifa Stars, we face an equally tough battle. And if we make it, a tougher battle awaits us against Mozambique who are sitting on 5-0 advantage over South Sudan.
However, a much tougher battle waits ahead in the final group phase which has 2012 champions Zambia, Cape Verde Islands and Niger.
But we can take solace in the fact that two top teams from each group will directly qualify for the Orange Afcon 2015 along with the 3rd place winners of the seven groups.
We are fed up of having borne the brunt of being neutrals at successive Nations Cup finals since our last appearance in 2006.
Still smarting from our absence in South Africa in the 2010 World Cup finals, non-qualification for the 2012 Afcon in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, Afcon in South Africa 2013, Brazil 2014, this soccer mad nation will not embrace any failure this time around.
The Taifa Stars have the pride of having beaten one of the continent’s powerhouses Morocco 3-1 and former African Champions, Zambia.
We know they have got in their midst players such as Ulimwengu and Samata, both from TP Mazembe in the DRC.
However, we have every reason to hope, what with the arrival of Al Ahly Benghazi striker Edward Sadomba, as well as creative linkmen
Ovidy Karuru and Denver Mukamba, a development we believe will add that much needed creative dimension that was lacking in the team.
And I can see us breaking that well-knit Tanzanian defence.
But the Taifa Stars appear to be fully aware of the stern test they face today, the reason why they organised a preparatory match against Malawi which they won, prior to today’s game.
It’s refreshing to note that the Warriors’ technical staff insists they (Warriors) can still progress to the next stage of 2015. But we also hope that the 12th man will reciprocate this gesture by turning the NSS into a cauldron of our favourite national team colours.
“We still have 90 minutes to play, they beat us in the first leg in front of their supporters, what can stop us from doing the same on Sunday?” said Warriors team manager Sharrif Mussa as he gave us hope.
But whatever the case, there is no room for error for the Warriors this time around.
With the confidence of the multitude of expectant fans that are expected to throng the NSS, we are optimistic that the Warriors will conjure a positive result.
We can also remind the team that they should be true Warriors. They should exhibit the art of effective blow, and the art of defence and be a potent force that should know how to use both these attributes. And the NSS gives them the opportunity to demonstrate that.
As for the Taifa Stars, are they going to prove that they are indeed, the party-pooper’s? We can only believe.
The rallying point should, therefore be: Go Warriors Go.
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Online Reporter