THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter—
WARRIORS skipper for the CHAN soccer tournament Danny Phiri believes Zimbabwe will need to work hard ahead of next year’s tournament after they were placed in a “tough” Group D in a draw conducted at the weekend. Phiri, who led the side at the previous edition held in South Africa when Zimbabwe finished fourth last year, said the Warriors are the team to beat in their group after they were paired with neighbours Zambia, Uganda and West Africa giants Mali.

The tournament will take place in Rwanda from January 16 to February 7, 2016. The Warriors are one of the two countries that have featured at every edition of the tournament since it was inaugurated in 2009 and Phiri believes their experience will be key. “We have been there before and I think we now know what we need to do. We did well the last time out when we reached the semi-finals. But we can’t really bank on history.

“I’m sure our opponents know we are a competitive side because of our performances at the 2014 edition and they would do everything to beat us. So we need to prepare well for this tournament. “We should have enough time to prepare when the league programme ends in December. Our goal this time around is to try and push hard and probably get to the final.

“We played Mali at the last tournament in South Africa to reach the semi-finals and it was a tough game although we won. So we don’t expect them to be easy opponents. Zambia, again, are not an easy team to play against,” said Phiri.

The CHAN tournament is reserved exclusively for players playing in local leagues.

The Warriors, however, will have a changed outlook as a host of players, who include goalkeeper George Chigova, Partson Jaure, Milton Ncube, Peter “Rio” Moyo, Eric Chipeta, Donald Ngoma, Kuda Mahachi and Oscar Machapa, are no longer eligible as they have moved to foreign clubs.

Other players such as Masimba Mambare, Pasca Manhanga, Themba Ndhlovu, Simba Nhivi, Tawanda Muparati, Augustine Mbara, Charles Sibanda and Nelson Maziwisa have not played a part in the qualifiers and are not likely to be considered for the tournament by coach Callisto Pasuwa.

Despite their success, the Warriors’ qualifying campaign was characterised by chaos in their camp and lack of financial support. However, Pasuwa and his men still managed to pull through. They started off with a 2-0 aggregate win over Comoros and then accounted for Lesotho 4-2 to seal a place among the 16 finalists.

The team’s captain, Phiri, said they need more support from ZIFA to get their preparations in good order. The Chicken Inn hardman also applauded Government for their support through the Ministry of Sport and Recreation in their last game against Lesotho and said such gesture should continue.

“It’s very important to get that kind of support (from Government). It’s always great motivation to know that your leaders are behind you. That is what we want. We want everyone’s support. “All Zimbabweans should rally behind the team. I am sure the boys know it’s an honour to represent the country,” said Phiri.

Zimbabwe will kick-off their campaign in Rwanda with a Southern Africa derby against Zambia on January 19. They will face Mali two days later and then round off with Uganda on January 27. Hosts Rwanda were drawn in Group A alongside Gabon, Morocco and Cote d’Ivoire while winners of the maiden edition in 2009, DR Congo, are housed in Group B with 2011 losing finalists Angola, Cameroon and Ethiopia.

Group C has 2011 champions Tunisia, Nigeria, Niger and debutants Guinea. Holders Algeria will not be able to defend their title after they failed to qualify for the 2016 edition. Warriors team manager Shariff Mussa said the draw was fair for Zimbabwe. “Our group is not that tough. We avoided big guns like Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire besides the hosts, Rwanda. In Africa now there are no big or small teams.

“I was with Zimbabwe in the previous two editions and we will go and complete what we started before. I believe CAF helps players to develop with such tournaments. CHAN is a great chance for African talents to show their skills,” said Mussa.

The 2016 CHAN Draw