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The Warriors had been expected to fly out to Maputo at 1.20pm via Johannesburg but Rahman Gumbo and his men were only told at the Harare International Airport that they had to return to their hotel after frantic efforts to get them at least an evening flight came to nought.
Warriors’ head of delegation and Zifa board member for marketing Nigel Munyati later addressed the players and advised them of the new developments.
Munyati said they had decided against the option of having the team fly in batches and would leave Harare International Airport this morning at 7am.
“There was a problem in getting all the seats for the team in one flight and we are now leaving first thing tomorrow (today) morning with South African Airways.
“We could have opted for an evening flight but we have decided to travel tomorrow (today) so that we can cut on additional costs of sleeping over in Johannesburg.
“We could have secured our travelling tickets some two or three weeks ago but unfortunately we couldn’t make it on time,” said Munyati.
Yesterday was the second day that the Warriors had to endure a demoralising incident following the drama that saw them being locked out of the National Sports Stadium where they were due to train.
Despite the setback, Swedish-based Zimbabwe international midfielder Archieford Gutu has vowed to turn on a better show and help the Warriors secure a result against Mozambique.
The Warriors, beaten 1-0 at home by Guinea, now face Mozambique in another 2014 World Cup Group G qualifier in Maputo on Sunday.
It is a must-win game for either side as the Mambas also lost 2-0 away to Egypt in their opening assignment.
Gutu, who plays for Kalmar FF, had a nightmarish afternoon against Guinea and was substituted in the 33rd minute with the man who came on to replace him, Willard Katsande, breathing life into the Warriors midfield.
But the former Dynamos man reckoned that it was just a bad day in the office and believes he will come good if given a second bite of the cherry by coach Gumbo in Maputo.
“Guinea game is now just water under the bridge and I have already prepared myself for the next game.
“It was not our day because we did all we could but luck was not on our side that day.
“I have since buried memories of that forgettable afternoon and I am ready to give my best if the coach gives me another chance to prove myself,” said Gutu.
The former Ajax Cape Town man said the team is aware of what is needed in Maputo and has reminded the players to give 100 percent effort and revive their hopes for the 2014 World Cup.
“Everyone in the team knows what we want to achieve and it’s up to the guys to up their game and avoid the mistakes we made against Guinea.
“In our game against Guinea, we created a number of scoring opportunities but we lacked the cutting edge in front of goals which I believe we have worked on this time.
“Morale is good in the camp as the boys are encouraging each other to play well and we are all aiming for a win in Maputo,” said Gutu.
Meanwhile, the technical team had finalised their final 18 from the 21 they had left with after dropping Bradley Pritchard, Simon Munawa and Tapiwa Khumbuyani.
A closer look at the final 18 will however show that the FC Platinum coach is not looking at making drastic changes to the team that crashed 1-0 to Guinea in the Group G opener.
Skipper Tapuwa Kapini, his understudy Marlon Jani and fellow veterans Esrom Nyandoro, Tinashe Nengomasha, Vusa Nyoni, and Onismor Bhasera, remain key members of the squad.
The Warriors coach will no doubt be hoping that midfield maestro Khama Billiat who was off colour against Guinea will rediscover his touch as should the striking pair of Knowledge Musona and Takesure Chinyama.
With the Warriors under pressure to win in Maputo, Gumbo might be short of variety upfront but he is unlikely to gamble by starting with Terrence Mandaza who never showed why he was introduced as a substitute in that 1-0 loss to Guinea.
Final Squad:
Tapuwa Kapini, Marlon Jani, Onismor Bhasera, Vusa Nyoni, Oscar Machapa, Tinashe Nengomasha, Esrom Nyandoro, Willard Katsande, Ovidy Karuru, Arnold Chaka, Knowledge Musona, Terrence Mandaza, Denver Mukamba, Takesure Chinyama, Rodwell Chinyengetere, Khama Billiat, Archieford Gutu, Carlington Nyadombo.
Online Reporter
Londile Moyo