admin
Harare Bureau
WARRIORS assistant coach, Mkhupali Masuku, yesterday challenged his players to utilise home advantage and post a healthy advantage against Zambia in their Chan final qualifier, first leg tie at Rufaro on Sunday. The Chicken Inn assistant coach, who was last week roped in as part of the backroom staff by Warriors coach Ian Gorowa, hopes the national team will do better than their lifeless display against Mauritius.
Masuku is not new to the national team set-up as he had previously helped Norman Mapeza at the Cecafa Cup in Kenya in 2011.
He believes a two-goal cushion will be good enough for the Warriors to defend at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on 24 August.
“I think the game on Sunday will give us an edge over Zambia because we are playing at home,” said Masuku.
“We are banking on our supporters to give us the drive and I think we are going to come alright on the day of the match.
“The boys have been working very hard at training and they are looking sharp and it’s just a matter of time before they are perfect.”
Last month, Chipolopolo beat the Warriors 2-0 in the Cosafa Cup final with keeper Maxwell Nyamupangendengu getting most of the flak for the two goals.
“Zambia won the match at their home turf, but in any circumstances, I think we also did very well. Right now we are at home and we are looking forward to the game,” said Masuku.
“We hope to do very well so that we go to Zambia with a cushion goal or two.”
Zimbabwe are eager to make an impression after the Warriors plunged on the Fifa Coca-Cola world rankings.
Last month, Zimbabwe were ranked 114 in the world and 31st in Africa and they have dropped a further two steps down the ladder.
The Warriors are now ranked 116th in the world and 32nd in Africa.
The key to getting a good result, Masuku said, would be in converting the chances they will create.
“If we look at our previous game (against Mauritius), I think we created a number of chances and if we continue doing that I think we will come right and we will score some goals,” said Masuku.
“We are going to attack from the onset. I do not think that we need to psyche the players very much because they are still pained by the defeat in the Cosafa Cup final.
“So the boys themselves have got a point to prove against Zambia. They lost to Zambia and they would not want to lose to Zambia again, especially at home.
“We cannot afford to lose to Zambia again inside a period of 21 days.”
Warriors’ coach Gorowa said he has reminded his players about the importance of this game.
“We spoke to the players and I did not want to remind them that Zambia has been beating us because that might not be a good thing to do,” said Gorowa.
“But I told them that we are playing at home and we have to win this game at all costs.”
Gorowa said the Warriors, who have been missing at the Nations Cup finals, should be motivated to reach the Chan finals before setting their sights at the next Afcon edition.
“The incentive on the part of the players is to play in the Chan tournament,” said Gorowa.
“So, I think they are highly motivated to beat Chipolopolo, who do not play well away from home. We need to use this home advantage.”
Zimbabwe are likely to play South Africa in a friendly international in Johannesburg next month.
Reports from South Africa yesterday indicated that the friendly international will be played on 10 September, days before the final 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
MTN Football said although Safa were yet to officially announce the fixture, the game will be played on 10 September.
Zifa communications manager, Xolisani Gwesela, said nothing had been finalised so far.
“Nothing has been confirmed yet. We will issue a statement once everything has been worked out,” said Gwesela.
Meanwhile, Zambian striker Festus Mbewe is taking a cautious approach before his side meets Zimbabwe in the CHAN qualifier at Rufaro.
According to reports from Zambia, the Nkana Red Devils forward said playing the Warriors in their own backyard will not be a stroll in the park.
“We know Zimbabwe are a strong team, they showed character when we played them (in the Cosafa final). They are a good team. We need to go there geared with a strong character,” said Mbewe.
Online Reporter