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by the tragic news that assistant coach Joey Antipas’ mother had passed away at the Avenues Clinic in Harare.
A sombre mood engulfed the Warriors’ hotel early yesterday morning when news filtered from back home that Antipas’ mother had died in Harare.
The tragic news forced Antipas to miss the Warriors’ first training session since their arrival here late on Wednesday with Mapeza revealing that the entire squad had been saddened by the death given that they were “a very close family in this national team”.
Mapeza told his troops that victory was possible against the Blue Sharks tomorrow but warned his players against failing to handle the pressure that comes with seeking an outright win.
The Warriors continued their preparations for their final onslaught on the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a tough assignment against Cape Verde at the Etadio Da Varzea here tomorrow.
The match, scheduled for the artificial turf of the compact 4 000-seater stadium, is pencilled in to get underway at 5pm Zimbabwean time (2pm Cape Verde time).
It is a cagey assignment, in the searing heat of Praia, where temperatures are expected to soar to around 38 degrees Celsius at kick-off time tomorrow.
Mapeza and his charges appear to be slightly more concerned about overcoming the challenge of the heat and the humidity in Cape Verde than the threat posed by the Blue Sharks.
The Warriors coach said although they needed to play with more adventure, they needed to remain focused throughout the game, and avoid being careless.
Mapeza, who is without striker Edward Sadomba following the Al Hilal talisman’s shoulder injury in a Champions League game, said he was hopeful he would not lose more players before tomorrow’s decisive encounter.
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The Warriors just have to win first before checking the results from elsewhere to determine their fate.
The former Monomotapa coach, however, declared his charges were ready for the battle and cast an optimistic figure as he looked ahead to tomorrow’s battle.
“The guys are looking alright, of course, it is hot and humid but at the end of the day this is Africa.
“As for the accommodation it is alright and we are not complaining. We are not complaining about the food either because Zifa ensured we travelled with our own chef (Paradzai Manjonjo).
“There was so much talk about Ovidy Karuru but we have checked on him and he is alright and we just hope we will remain injury-free, we should have our final workout at the match venue,” Mapeza said.
He also noted that the Estadio De Varzea was a compact pitch, smaller in size to Rufaro, and said the Warriors would have to adjust their game tomorrow.
“It’s a small pitch so we just have to knock the ball around . . . I noticed they are tall and tall players can be a bit slow so we have to be very quick on them but we have to watch out on set pieces, they were dangerous from those the last time around”.
Mapeza also revealed that he had resorted to talking to his players on an individual basis, addressing them on the significance of tomorrow’s big game.
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“I have been talking to the players individually just to impress on them the importance of this game. I have also clarified the significance of this game on the nation, on their individual careers and even on their families and what the impact of a win will be like.
“The response has been very positive and I am happy about that because we are speaking the same language”.
Mapeza noted that the Warriors had found themselves in a difficult situation in these qualifiers following their slow start in which they did not win their opening three games.
“Yes we did not have a very good start but we are still in it and we believe this is the time and this could be our chance.
“Cape Verde looked deadly on the counter attacks and when we played them in Harare but they seemed to sit back a lot in that game”.
However with any of Mali, Zimbabwe and Cape Verde still in with a chance of topping Group A, tomorrow’s showdown in Praia promises to be an open affair and Mapeza acknowledged as much.
“Now that they at their home, Cape Verde are not likely to pack their defence, they also feel they have a chance to qualify and for them to do that they have to try and attack and that should open up the game.
“If we can get an early goal, it will unsettle them so we have to attack and also defend in numbers but like I said earlier we have to be patient and we have to focus.
“It doesn’t mean that if we don’t get an early goal then we have to rush things and lose concentration, it will be hot and we have to knock the ball around a lot and keep possession,” Mapeza said.
The Blue Sharks, who draw the bulk of their players from lower Divisions in Europe, have been secretive abut their preparations with their sessions being closed out to anyone who is not part of their crew.
While the Warriors do battle with the Blue Sharks there is no doubting that Zimbabweans will be keeping one eye on the developments in Monrovia.
“Yes we have spoken about that game but we have not paid much attention to it, we are saying let us go out and win and let fate decide whatever happens to us after we have won because only God has the answers as to what will actually happen”.
Mapeza, who welcomes the first choice striking partnership of Nyasha Mushekwi and Knowledge Musona for tomorrow’s match, said he was happy with the progress which this Class of Warriors has been making since finding their touch with a deserved 2-1 home over Mali at Rufaro.
“After our first few matches there were some changes to the team and I am happy with the progress that we have made and since our game against Mali at home there is a greater understanding from the players on what we really want them to do and the results have also shown that there is an improvement,” Mapeza said.
The Kaizer Chiefs pair of Zhaimu Jambo and Thomas Sweswe also makes a return to the Warriors fold with the former having been previously overlooked for selection while the latter was suspended for the game against Liberia
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