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Harare Bureau
ZIMBABWE’S opponents in the dead rubber World Cup qualifier Mozambique arrived in the country yesterday with their coach Joao Chissano declaring that they are here to register their first victory over the Warriors away.
The two sides clash in a Group G , World Cup African qualifiers at Rufaro on Sunday with the hosts aiming for a win to finish third in the pool where Egypt top the mini-league while Guinea are second.
Mozambique have never won against Zimbabwe away from Maputo and Chissano said they were happy that the Mambas were getting into this match as the underdogs.
Just like the Warriors who are under Ian Gorowa, who took over from expatriate coach Klaus Dieter Pagels, Chissano has taken over from Gert Engels recently.
The 43-year old, who served as an assistant to Engels and played as a defender for Costa Do Sol during his career, is buoyed after his side qualified for the African Nations after overcoming favourites Angola in Benguela.
“It’s in the past that we have never won away against Zimbabwe.
“Zimbabwe are playing at home and I think the Warriors have better chances than us of doing well in this game because they are home.
“But we will try take the game to them and play a very good game,” said Chissano.
Chissano said he is using the World Cup qualifier to start his preparations for the Chan finals in South Africa next year where they will also join Zimbabwe.
“We are here to enjoy ourselves and I think we are in very good spirits and shape.
“Our players are more confident after the good result in Angola and that’s why we hope to get a good result against Zimbabwe,” he said.
Chissano and his troops arrived in Harare in the afternoon yesterday from South Africa where they had set up a training camp and then took in a training session at Rufaro later in the day.
The Warriors were regrouping in camp last night and coach Gorowa is expected to hold his first full training session this morning.
Gorowa’s plans to have an uninterrupted camp hit a brick wall after the Castle Lager Premiership fixtured mid-week matches and players reported to their clubs instead of the national team.
A few players were at the morning training session while CAPS United’s Hardlife Zvirekwi, Tafadzwa Dube and Dominic Chungwa featured for their side’s league match against Tripple B yesterday.
After the morning training session, Gorowa is expected to present his team to the Zifa board around midday at a function where Zifa president Cuthbert Dube is expected to make his pledge to the Warriors.
Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela said Dube will present his pledge to the Warriors for winning the ticket to the Chan finals next year.
“The Zifa president will present a package with incentives for the Warriors while a local businessman Farai Jere is also going to make his pledge in support of the national team.
“This is mainly in recognition of their great efforts in qualifying for the Chan finals,” said Gwesela.
Meanwhile the South African Football Association have confirmed that the Bafana Bafana international friendly against Zimbabwe will be staged at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday.
Safa had delayed announcing the venue for the match after no local authority had taken up the offer to host the tie.
In a statement yesterday, Safa said the game kicks off at 8:30pm and tickets for the game have already gone on sale to the public.
Polokwane City had originally expressed interest in hosting Cosafa’s biggest derby but pulled out leaving Safa to look for an alternative venue.
Although King Zwelithini in Durban and Atteridgeville’s Lucas Moripe came in for reckoning, Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund said Orlando Stadium would provide an ideal vibe for the duel.
“I am happy that the match will take place at one of the country’s homes of soccer and playing Zimbabwe always brings the best out of my players,” said Igesund.
Gorowa has not yet announced his final squad for the South Africa game but indications are that he will use mainly foreign based players
and a few locally based.
Online Reporter