Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ON a day of split focus and high stakes, the Zimbabwe Warriors will square off against both Niger and Mozambique, each match carrying its own weight as the team seeks form and redemption on two fronts.
The international friendly against Niger is scheduled for Casablanca, Morocco, while the Cosafa Cup showdown with Mozambique will be decisive for their tournament fate.
The Warriors, who are smarting from a 2-0 defeat to a near full strength Burkina Faso, travelled to Morocco with a makeshift squad missing several key players. Notable absentees include captain Marvelous Nakamba, his deputy Marshall Munetsi, Jordan Zemura, Knowledge Musona, Tawanda Chirewa, Andy Rinomhota and Devine Lunga.
With such big names unavailable, the team faced an uphill battle, which was evident in the loss at Stade El Bachir Mohammedia.
“Up next is Niger. Like I said, we are still trying to bring new faces on board. As a coach, I will not be happy to lose, but we have to try new player combinations,” said Warriors coach Michael Nees.
In the absence of Nakamba and Munetsi, United States-based defender Teenage “Manero” Hadebe will captain the side. A positive result against Niger could inject much needed confidence as Zimbabwe aims to build cohesion between local and foreign based players ahead of major tournaments.
Meanwhile, back home, another Warriors team will face Mozambique in a do or die Cosafa Cup encounter. Zimbabwe are on the brink of elimination after a goalless draw with Mauritius and a 2-0 defeat to hosts South Africa.
The Warriors now need a win and favourable results elsewhere to keep their hopes alive.
South Africa sit on three points, one behind pacesetters Mozambique. In their last match, Mozambique were held to a goalless draw by Mauritius.
If South Africa earn at least a draw against Mauritius in their final group match at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, they will book a semi-final spot, automatically knocking Zimbabwe out of the tournament.
The Warriors now face a tense final match against Mozambique.
—@FungaiMuderere
