Injured Munetsi set for late assessment

Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter

WARRIORS’ utility man, Marshall Munetsi, is set for a late assessment as Zimbabwe look to bounce back ,in the reverse fixture of the World Cup qualifiers against Ghana, at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow.

Munetsi is still needed for the home game, because of his experience, and the stability he brings into the team.

Zimbabwe’s chances were further dashed following a 1-3 mauling, at the hands of the Black Stars, at the Cape Coast Stadium, on Saturday evening.

However, it is still too early for the Warriors, to throw in the towel as there are still nine points, to fight, for in the campaign.

Saturday’s defeat left the Zimbabwe rooted at the bottom of Group G, with a single point from three games, while Ghana revived their campaign, by taking their points tally to six.

They are one point behind leaders South Africa, who thrashed Ethiopia 3-1 away.

The Warriors are expected home shortly after midday today, and will have a late afternoon training session, to try and work on their shortcomings.

The defensive area is likely to get attention with revelations that Munetsi is being monitored by the Warriors medical team while England-based Tendayi Darikwa, who played rightback on Saturday, has excused himself from the return match.

Team manager, Wellington Mpandare, yesterday told The Herald the mood was still positive in the camp despite the defeat.

The Warriors technical team was also boosted by the availability of the England-based players, who were set to miss the return match because of the UK Covid-19 policies, which are set to be reviewed, with effect from today.

The latest developments will see Zimbabwe being taken off the red list and that would mean players like Marvelous Nakamba, Jordan Zemura and Brendan Galloway, will not have to worry about the 10-day quarantine, when they return to their clubs, after tomorrow’s game.

However, the only concern ahead of the game is Munetsi, who is set for assessment, when the team hold their only training this afternoon.

Munetsi, who had a decent outing in central defence with Kelvin Madzongwe, received a knock in the game, and was replaced by Farai Madhanaga, with seven minutes of regulation time remaining.

“Marshall Munetsi is the one nursing an injury but, obviously, the doctors will assess him when we get home,” said Mpandare.

“The UK-based players will be available, with the exception of Tendayi Darikwa, who has a family problem to attend to back in the UK.”

Zimbabwe’s travel arrangements have not helped them either.

The team left for Ghana in batches last week, and had less than four training sessions, before meeting the Black Stars.

Their situation is different from Ghana, who had the whole week, and were also set to arrive in Harare yesterday, ahead of the host team, aboard a charter flight.

The Warriors left Accra yesterday, via Addis Ababa, and will only arrive home this afternoon.

Ghana had a recovery session, at the Accra Stadium yesterday, before their departure for Harare.

“We are arriving (today) at 12:15pm,’’ said Mpandare.

“The only flight that was available to take us home the same day that we played left Accra at 10pm, after our game, and it was impossible to drive after the game to Accra.

“So, the only available option was via Ethiopia.

“We will train at 4pm tomorrow (today) at the National Sports Stadium.’’

Warriors coach Norman Mapeza has also drafted in Gerald Takwara, and Takudzwa Chimwemwe, for the return match.

Mapeza said he picked some positives from the game and will be hoping to build on the performance going forward.

Zimbabwe had a nervy start on Saturday, conceding a sixth minute goal, but they finished the match strongly, with impressive left wing Zemura and captain Knowledge Musona, causing some anxious moments for the hosts.

Mapeza’s men managed to register their first goal of the campaign, albeit from the penalty spot, through skipper Musona.

But goals from Mohammed Kudus, Thomas Partey and captain Andre Ayew, inflicted a huge blow to the campaign.

Zimbabwe had chances in the second half, to upset the hosts, but Zemura was denied by the woodwork while Musona could have done better with a 64th minute shot, which went straight to the keeper.

Musona, however, said they were not throwing in the towel yet.

“Not the result we were hoping for but we look ahead and focus on the next coming game. A big thank you to all our supporters!!” tweeted Musona.

Mapeza said they conceded “soft goals” and will be hoping to rectify their mistakes going forward.

“I think it was a good game of football. I think we saw so many positives from this game, but I think we conceded soft goals,’’ he said.

“First few minutes, there was a lack of concentration, and then the second goal, Darikwa was just supposed to clear the lines, and the third goal, I think it was a throw in, and we should have closed that man down before he crossed the ball.

“For me, it was the first time to be with them but, in terms of positives, I think there were so many positives from this game.

“Sometimes you need to be realistic in life, the chances are now very slim.

“We are, however, not losing hope and will continue working hard. We are also using the remaining matches to prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon in January,” he told our sister newspaper, The Sunday Mail.