Come on Warriors

well aware of the pressure that has been bottling up for the squad in the build-up to this match and barred his players from talking to the local media ahead of the game.
The match at Rufaro tomorrow is the biggest in profile since the two Cosafa members last met in the 2006 World Cup/Nations Cup qualifiers.
The Palancas Negras of Angola have qualified for the 2006 World Cup and were the 2010 Nations Cup hosts while Zimbabwe have struggled to make a mark.
Tomorrow, the Warriors will go into battle without chief striker Knowledge Musona who has remained holed up at his base in Germany while veteran midfielder Tinashe Nengomasha is also out.
Musona advised the Warriors’ technical team yesterday that he was injured and could not play while Nengomasha’s club BidVets Wits have held onto the player because of a breakdown in communication with Zifa.
Skipper and goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini arrived yesterday afternoon but he is only here to be assessed by the doctors because he is injured.
During the practice match against Harare City at Rufaro yesterday, Gumbo had Ariel Sibanda in goals with Vusa Nyoni playing on the leftback and Noel Kaseke on the right.
Esrom Nyandoro, who did not train on Thursday, was back in central defence alongside Carlington Nyadombo.
Denver Mukamba, Archie Gutu, Quincy Antipas and Khama Billiat were in midfield while Rodwell Chinyengetere and Takesure Chinyama were the forwards.
As the match progressed, Gumbo made changes as he brought in Abbas Amidu and Donald Ngoma.
Plymouth Argyle defender Onismor Bhasera was working with the fitness trainer on the sidelines while Premiership’s leading goal scorer Nelson Maziwisa is also in the squad. Maziwisa scored in the Warriors’ 2-1 defeat to Zambia in an international friendly in Ndola last month.
Yesterday, Gumbo told a press conference that their preparations have not been all rosy but he strongly believed that Zimbabwe could get a positive result against Angola.
“We have been encountering problems in getting all the players to camp since we started.
“For now we are dealing with what is there and we should not comment about the players we don’t have. At least, now we have the players and have done nearly 90 percent of the work.
“The players’ response has been positive and they are all looking forward to the game on Sunday,” said Gumbo.
Gumbo never qualified for the African Nations Cup finals during his time as a player despite coming so close with the famous Dream Team. But the former Eagles and Highlanders midfielder helped Zimbabwe qualify for their maiden Nations Cup finals in Tunisia in 2004 when he was part of Sunday Chidzambwa’s backroom staff.
Gumbo also had a hand in Zimbabwe’s qualification to the 2006 finals in Egypt when he presided in some of the earlier matches before he was fired by Zifa following a 3-0 defeat to Nigeria in a World Cup qualifier at the National Sports Stadium in 2004.
Now Gumbo is back for another dance with the Warriors.
“I have looked at the players in camp, especially the locally-based guys and have seen that they have the commitment.
“During the previous assignments, we had fewer locally-based players but now we have nine guys in the squad.
“Now, we want players who are committed, players who have the hunger to do well for this team,” said Gumbo.
Gumbo has called on everyone to support the team at this juncture as Zimbabwe bids to take a healthy lead before the reverse fixture in Luanda, Angola, next month.
“As a nation this team is not for an individual but it’s for all Zimbabweans.
“People have to pull in this together and support the team,” he said.
Warriors’ assistant coach Peter Ndlovu also challenged his troops to give the nation something to cheer about on Sunday.
Ndlovu has led Zimbabwe to their only two appearances at the Nations Cup as a captain and is hopeful of another dance as a coach.
“It will be three times for me if we can make it again.
“As someone who has played there before, I am happy to be giving the boys the support I can. Now it’s up to them to showcase it and build their profiles.
“At least, in the current squad we have Esrom (Nyandoro), Tinashe and Kapini who have been there before and could be sharing their experiences with others,” said Ndlovu.
The former Coventry City winger said some people were doubting the potential of the squad. “I am surprised that some people tend to doubt our players.
“We have to concentrate with what is there and we should use the material that is there.
“The fact that Angola have had far better preparations should be a motivational factor for us,” he said. Angola arrived shortly after midday yesterday after having been camping in South Africa for the past week.
The 2010 Nations Cup hosts Angola’s coach, Gustavo Ferrin, said he expects a tough tie against their Cosafa compatriots.
“We came here to play a very important match but we believe that it can be very difficult. Our team has prepared the same way we have preparing for the other matches
“We are going to look for ways to get the results we desire. The team is injury-free,” said Ferrin.