Stars in for Battle

their 2013 qualification campaign.
The Warriors are expected to be in Luanda on Friday night for the final qualifier, second leg tie in which Gumbo’s men need to preserve their 3-1 first leg lead to advance to the 29th Nations Cup finals in South Africa next January.
As his charges began trooping in over the weekend, Gumbo was left a hugely satisfied man to note that his stars had heeded the call to arrive into camp early.
Gumbo said although the Warriors preparations would move a gear up this morning, he was happy that most of his stars, especially those plying their trade in foreign leagues, had immediately flown home after fulfilling their various club assignments since last Friday night.
Returning talisman Knowledge Musona, veteran midfielder Tinashe Nengomasha and the recalled trio of Cuthbert Malajila, Edward Sadomba and Kingston Nkatha were among a host of early birds to report for national duty.
Unlike the scenario that characterised the build-up to the first leg at Rufaro where Gumbo only had one full day with all his players, the coach yesterday said he was happy to note that the majority of them had checked in early, which would enable them to proceed with their training camp without hitches.
Gumbo said the early turnout of his players showed that they were very positive ahead of the decisive match, whose fever has already gripped a nation that is anticipating a third appearance at the Nations Cup.
The former FC Platinum coach also confirmed that he had roped in former Eastern Lions midfielder Liberty Ndadzungira to widen his selection options ahead of the trip.
Gumbo has often told the media that like any other coach, he would                always be looking at ways of continuously improving and strengthening his team.
The veteran coach reserved the opening day of camp yesterday to a “loosening session’’ with fitness trainer Gerald Maguranyanga while more players continued to make their way to Harare.
“Almost all the guys should be in                   by tonight. There has been a huge improvement from the foreign-based players and those from far off                     places were actually among the first to arrive.
“Guys like Knowledge, Tinashe, and Kingston . . . they were in by yesterday (Sunday) and the team manager is working with the rest of the guys on their travel. But this is a very positive attitude and that is what we need,’’ Gumbo said.
Gumbo also said Ndadzungira who is playing for Mozambican top-flight side Maxaquene will be assessed just like any other player in the squad that has been enlarged from the initial 24-man side that had been picked.
“I am looking at all players who are in camp and maybe he can bring another dimension if he fits into what I am looking for. I already know what I am looking for, so now I will assess the players’’.
Gumbo also said he was not moved by all the frantic efforts which the Palancas Negras are reportedly making to try and strengthen their side ahead of Sunday’s reverse fixture.
Angola last week recalled Brazil-based midfielder Geraldo for Sunday’s battle against Zimbabwe. Geraldo, who plays for Brazilian Second Division side Parana, was included in coach Gustavo Ferrin’s strong 28-man squad released by the Angolan Football Federation with the bulk of the Palancas Negras side being made up of locally-based players.
Only eight professionals including star forward Manucho make up the squad.
Attacking midfielder Geraldo makes a return to the Palancas Negras after he was omitted from the squad that travelled to this year’s Nations Cup finals in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Former Palancas Negras coach Lito Vidigal had become frustrated by the player’s behaviour after he failed to honour previous call-ups in the qualifiers.
Gumbo is not concerned by all that has been happening in the Angolans camp.
“I am not worried by what Angola are doing. What they are doing or not doing is their own problem.
“We are preparing ourselves for anything, physically and psychologically because really the pressure is on Angola.
“They are in a bad situation at the moment and we know they are going to try anything to win so we are ready for anything,’’ Gumbo said.
Team manager Nyika Chifamba confirmed the arrival of Oscar Machapa, Lincoln Zvasiya, Malajila, Nengomasha, and Nkatha on Sunday and added that Orlando Pirates’ Takesure Chinyama, Belgian-based Vusa Nyoni, Ndadzungira and Sadomba came in yesterday.
Ajax Cape Town hotshot Khama Billiat, hero of the first leg victory also arrived yesterday afternoon while veteran utility player Esrom Nyandoro was expected in last night.
Chifamba said the trio of Quincy Antipas, Archieford Gutu and defender Onismor Bhasera should be arriving this morning.
Apart from having his charges reporting early, Gumbo would also be satisfied with the players club form.
Although he might not have scored, Musona who missed the first leg last month returns to the Warriors on the back of a fine showing for his German Bundesliga outfit FC Augsburg as do a host of other players such as Sadomba who fired Al Hilal into the Confederation Cup semi-finals, Malajila, Nkatha, Abbas Amidu, Ephraim Mazarura, Denver Mukamba and Masimba Mambare.
According to reports from Germany, Musona inspired Bundesliga minnows Augsburg to a surprise 3-1 home win over mid-table side Werder Bremen on Friday night, with the Warriors forward creating two of the three goals after tearing the Bremen defence into shreds as he ran rings across the opposition’s backline.
Augsburg were until Friday night’s match, the basement club on the 18-team Bundesliga, but that all changed with their best 90 minutes so far this season.
Augsburg who were the home team got their first goal within the first 90 seconds of the match when Tobias Werner headed the ball past Sebastian Mielitz in goals for the visitors from a Paul Verhaegh cross.
Bremen appeared not to know exactly how to mark Musona who troubled the entire defence, at times switching from right to left.
While the Warriors trooped into camp, the team that has been tasked with mobilising resources for them — the Mzansi 90 committee — continued with their fine job when they secured more funding for the battle of Luanda.
George Manyaya, the Mzansi 90 chairman revealed last night that financial institutions BancABC and                        CBZ Bank had also chipped in with funding towards the committee’s targeted US$500 000 needed to cater for all the Warriors expenses to and from Angola.
“We are pleased to announce that BancABC have given us US$20 000, CBZ US$10 000, Helcraw US$5 000 and Aces Youth Academy US$1 000.
“Nyaradzo Funeral Assurance have said they will cater for the gear that the Warriors will wear during their travel and we are looking at the suits they will put on during their tour of duty.
“Although we are thrilled with the support we have been getting, we still need more corporate and individuals to come on board and motivate these guys, we need them to stay motivated while they are in camp and we believe they have won and they will win,’’ Manyaya said.