adminNational Sports Stadium tomorrow.
As was the case on December 20 1992, the Warriors and the Pharaohs were battling for a place at the 1994 World Cup in the United States and 55 000 fans were left celebrating at the giant stadium after Ndlovu and Agent Sawu struck a goal each either side of the break to hand Zimbabwe a 2-1 win.
Ahmed El Kaas fired one back for Egypt in the 64th minute but the Warriors held on for a memorable win that helped them keep their World Cup dream alive during that campaign.
It is the only time in 14 meetings between the two nations that the Warriors have managed to overcome the Pharaohs and Ndlovu remains proud to have been part of that Dream Team legacy created by late firebrand German coach Reinhard Fabisch.
Ndlovu has since hung up his boots but remains very much an integral part of the Warriors’ set-up as he is now one of new coach Klaus Dieter Pagels’ assistants, together with former Dynamos midfielder Lloyd Mutasa.
Crucially, Ndlovu is the only surviving member of the Dream Team that tamed the Egyptians, who is still directly involved with the Warriors.
Yesterday, the legendary former Coventry City, Birmingham and Sheffield United forward travelled down memory lane as the Warriors wound up their morning training session at the match venue and revealed that he had been challenging skipper Denver Mukamba and the current crop to emulate what they did in 1992 and ensure they do not lose against Egypt tomorrow.
In that match in 1992, Peter starred in a team that also included his late brother Adam, his late best friend Benjamin Nkonjera, the defensive pair of Francis Shonhayi and Mercedes Sibanda (both late) Ephraim Chawanda, Henry McKop, Max Makanza and Bruce Grobbelaar.
“When you look back and think about it, it feels like yesterday, yet it has been a long time since we played Egypt at home.
“Somehow, we have not had many games against Egypt either in the World Cup or Nations Cup qualifiers but it is always great to play them.
“I think it is important to remember that the last time we played them at home we won.
“When they come into our home we should fully utilise home advantage and the 12th man, the supporter, must also help to make that advantage count,’’ Ndlovu said.
While the Class of 2013 are virtually out of contention for a place at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Ndlovu said it remained imperative that the Warriors fight for a win in each of the remaining three qualifiers starting tomorrow and take the Group G race to the wire.
Zimbabwe, with just one point off a 0-0 draw against Mozambique in Maputo, are eight points behind the Pharaohs with three rounds of matches remaining but Ndlovu insisted that “we have to complete the marathon by running and not staggering to the finish line.
“We still have the capacity to compete and the boys have worked well in training, they are looking sharp and I can see some improvements from the last time we travelled to Egypt (in March).
“The coach (Pagels) has asked for simplicity from the players, nothing complicated, and if we can implement that, it will benefit them and they can win just on basics.
“The hard stuff is the individual brilliance where you get one or two players who can open up spaces but I think from what I have seen so far we are ready and I have said to the boys that it is up to them to ensure they do not break the record we set when we beat Egypt here.
“I share with them my experience from those days, how great it was to score in that game and the fine feeling of winning it for our supporters’’.
King Peter also reckoned that a victory for Pagels’ men will not only give them their first full points for this campaign, but would be crucial for the Warriors brand, which is undergoing a rebuilding exercise under the tall German coach.
“If we win this game it will mean a lot too for our relations with the corporate world because we have people like Tshinga Dube and his colleagues in the Football Trust who are working hard for the national game and we need to win for them too.
“My plea to the nation is to please put our differences aside and come together for our national team.
“Our generation only became the Dream Team because of the nation’s support and we have to acknowledge that this is a new group of players who have the talent and the potential to reach greater heights but they need everyone’s support, regardless of club affiliation, for them to grow into a big brand,’’ Peter said.
The man touted to take over Peter’s mantle in the Warriors, Knowledge Musona, also spoke about tomorrow’s game and declared himself ready to lead the senior team’s line of attack once again.
Musona thought he had helped the Warriors secure a vital draw when he scored with a dipping shot on the run in the reverse fixture in Alexandria in March but the Pharaohs secured a late winner for a 2-1 triumph.
“I think we are ready to go and play our game. We are playing at home and that should help us, especially if the supporters come and cheer us on.
“I actually feel inspired if I lift my head up and see many fans in the terraces, it gives me the energy to run and chase for every ball.
“I know that many people have counted us out already but we want to fight for the nine remaining points and maybe Egypt will drop some points so we can only wait and see what happens on the final day of the qualifiers.
“I know that people will also be looking up to me but I will try to be myself and play my usual game and help my country.
“I am used to playing before big crowds, the National Sports Stadium is also big and hopefully we will have a big crowd and that will help us,’’ Musona said.
Musona is likely to be partnered by Mamelodi Sundowns new-boy Cuthbert Malajila when the Warriors attempt to post a rare win over a Pharaohs side that has looked vulnerable on the road.
Online Reporter