Esrom out of Mali tie

upbeat that the setting of the 2012 Nations Cup qualifier against Mali at Rufaro will tilt the game in his team’s favour.
Injuries have ruled the duo out of Sunday’s massive game, which returns to Rufaro after the Warriors played their last tie against Cape Verde at the National Sports Stadium.

The Warriors host the Eagles in a homecoming show at the ceremonial home of football, needing nothing short of victory, to breathe life into their faltering Group A campaign.
But, as was the case when the Warriors visited Bamako in the reverse fixture, Nyandoro and Kaseke – who is based in Cyprus – will definitely not be part of the senior team’s crucial assignment.

Warriors’ coach Mapeza and team manager Sharrif Mussa expressed disappointment at the setback of losing two of their most experienced players, but insisted they would have to focus and work with the available manpower.

“So far so good. It has been a good start to camp although we have two of our experienced players Esrom and Noel out because of injuries.
“Esrom is going for surgery, I have spoken to him, we have seen the fax from his club and our doctors have also seen it and we have understood that he needs to be excused.

“Kaseke indicated that he picked up another injury two weeks ago but we have still asked him to report for camp so that he can be assessed by our doctors. It is a setback to lose these players at this time because of their experience, we would have loved them to be here . . . it is always difficult because as a coach you would have had your plans and then you get such setbacks with injuries.

“But we have to make do with what we have. We are also just waiting for Joey Antipas (assistant coach) to come in from Bulawayo tonight so that we can discuss whether there is need to bring in replacements or we just stick with those guys we have,” Mapeza said.
Mussa added that the Sundowns’ medical team had indicated to them that they had secured a specialist’s appointment for Nyandoro, which meant he could not take a risk and postpone the surgery.

“The club has proved that they had made prior arrangements for Esrom where he has to undergo a procedure that has do with his system.
“If Esrom fails to have the surgery now, he would have to wait for three months to secure another specialist appointment and that could have a negative impact on him,” Mussa said.
Mapeza began preparations for the Warriors decisive assignment with 15 players in the two-hour morning session at the match venue but later welcomed three more players at the afternoon workout at Motor Action Sports Club.

The trio of Austria-based midfielder Justice Majabvi, Ovidy Karuru, who plies his trade with French side US Boulogne, and centre back Daniel Veremu of Premiership outfit FC Platinum arrived at lunch-time and were at the afternoon training. With Nyandoro and Kaseke out, the Warriors were now only expecting the trio of Denmark-based winger Quincy Antipas, Motor Action’s in-form goalkeeper Marlon Jani and Gunners’ skipper Qadr Amini to compete the senior team contingent last night.

Jani was travelling from Bulawayo yesterday where his heroic show between the posts helped Motor Action overcome Highlanders 2-0 in a top-of-the-table Premiership tie while Amini featured in Gunners’ 0-0 draw against Shabanie Mine at Rufaro yesterday. Skipper Method Mwanjali of Mamelodi Sundowns led his troops in their drills as the Warriors, who were in high spirits, vowed to end their winless run in this campaign.

Mapeza also welcomed the change in match venue from the National Sports Stadium to Rufaro, which he believes could help restore the bond between the Warriors and their fans.
“The feeling of playing at Rufaro is always good because the crowd will be good for us, the fans will be closer to the field and it should be good for everyone and make it a better atmosphere” Mapeza said. The lanky former Monomotapa coach also felt that the week-long break, which the bulk of his South Africa-based charges had following the end of their season, would benefit the likes of Khama Billiat, Nyasha Mushekwi, Thomas Sweswe, Tinashe Nengomasha and Mwanjali.
“Most of these guys who are now on the break had a long season and Vusa Nyoni and those in South Africa would have benefited from the rest they have just had since their league programmes ended”.

Mapeza also revealed that he would stress to his players to ignore whatever they hear or read about Mali’s preparations.
“Yes we can have our game plan but we are not worried about what Mali are doing, where they are camped or who they have called up.
“We just have to focus on our plan and work on our strengths and weaknesses and prepare thoroughly,” said Mapeza.

It may have been the opening day of a tough week of preparations but Mapeza has already shown his intentions of going all out for the kill by emphasising during both sessions on the need for precision and aggression in front of goal.

This is because in three Group A matches against Liberia, Cape Verde and Mali, the Warriors have found the target once via the effort of South African Premiership Golden Boot award winner Knowledge Musona.
Musona struck in a 1-1 draw against the Lone Star in Monrovia but the Warriors fired blanks in their next two assignments when being held to a goalless draw at home by Cape Verde before falling 1-0 to Mali in Bamako.

That faltering run has left the Warriors in third place behind Cape Verde and Mali in a race in which the only way to be certain of a place at the 2012 finals in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea is to be the group winners.

But there is strong optimism among the Warriors fans that the team’s return to Rufaro could bring with it a change in their fortunes.
This is a venue where such players as Edward Sadomba, Mushekwi and even rookie Simba Sithole have enjoyed their best games.
It is all looking good for the senior team as the countdown to the MUST-WIN clash began yesterday.