adminqualifying match in Conakry tomorrow.
On May 2, 1993, Gundani, then a utility player at Ziscosteel, was part of the Dream Team that suffered a 0-3 hiding at the September 28 Stadium in Conakry.
Ironically, back then, Zimbabwe had a German national, Reinhard Fabisch, as leader of the technical team and tomorrow another German coach Klaus Dieter Pagels leads a weary band of Warriors into Conakry.
Back then, 20 years ago, former Liverpool striker Abourbacar Titi Camara led the Syli Nationale as they trumped over the Warriors.
However, Agent Sawu’s lone strike in the return leg of the 1994 World Cup qualifiers, gave Zimbabwe a measure of revenge at the National Sports Stadium on September 26, 1993. Gundani is now a trade unionist but he vividly remembers their nightmare almost two decades ago.
“From the experience I got there in 1993, I expect the Guinea fans to rally behind their team for the entire 90 minutes.
“I think the same thing is going to happen during the match on Sunday.
“We have to take into consideration that Guinea still have small chance of qualifying for the next round, so they will be seeking nothing short of a victory against Zimbabwe,” said Gundani, now the secretary-general for the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe.
Last Sunday, Zimbabwe fell to their heaviest defeat in terms of goals conceded at home, when they lost 4-2 to Egypt at the National Sports Stadium as Guinea thumped Mozambique 6-1 in Conakry.
Already Guinea have claimed the scalps of the Warriors in this campaign after winning 1-0 at the National Sports Stadium last year, and Zimbabwe will now need something close to a miracle to cause an upset.
Zimbabwe’s quest for a victory has not been helped either by shoddy travelling arrangements that could see the Warriors only arriving in Guinea less than 12 hours before the game.
Guinea need to beat Zimbabwe to stand any chance of catching group G leaders Egypt but even victory for the National Elephants might not be enough as The Pharaohs can secure top spot if they manage to beat Mozambique in Maputo.
The Warriors have struggled to find their feet in qualifying, having lost three games and drawn once in the campaign.
But Gundani believes anything is possible and the former Stoke City player has challenged the Warriors to play for the pride of the nation.
“Guinea can be beaten at their home as long as the Warriors do not succumb to any pressures they may be subjected to.
“This pressure is not only on the field of play but from the day of arrival,” said Gundani.
Already, morale could be low in the Warriors camp after the team failed to leave on scheduled times on two occasions because Zifa failed to secure air-tickets for the flights.
Peter Ndlovu, who was Gundani’s teammate during the Dream Team era, is also set make a return to stadium where their 1994 World Cup dream suffered a terrible knock.
Back then, Ndlovu was the talisman for the team and now he is the assistant coach.
“The hosts could employ some tricks to frustrate our boys but we are out of the running and we have little to worry about.
“But there is this pressure for national pride at stake. It’s high time Zimbabwe, at least, picks up points and move from the bottom of the Group G.
“We have to start winning matches at this level of competition,” he said.
During the disastrous night 20 years ago, Bruce Grobbelaar was the goalkeeper while Francis Shonhayi, John Phiri and Henry McKop created the buffer that gave him protection.
The late Benjamin Nkonjera played in midfield alongside Gundani and Rahman Gumbo. Adam Ndlovu and Sawu were also in the same team.
“Titi Camara was one their best players while we were ill-prepared for the encounter.
“But nevertheless on the return leg in Harare, we managed to win,” said Gundani.
Camara later became a Sports Minister in Guinea but Pagels is aware that Ibrahim Traore, the Stuttgart player, Sadio Diallo and Mohamed Lamine Yattare could make the Warrior’s trip a miserable one.
Online Reporter