Sports Reporter
THE Warriors have Group E destiny firmly in their hands when they host Equatorial Guinea in a 2027 AFCON Qualifier at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon -they just need a maximum six points from three games.
Kick-off is 3pm.
Following a goalless draw in the reverse fixture in Yaoundé, Cameroon on Thursday night, the Warriors now need a maximum six points from their home games against Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone to qualify for the 2027 AFCON finals.
This is before their toughest fixture of the qualifiers -an away trip to the DRC which might be a dead rubber by the time it is played at the end of March next year.
The Warriors are in second place with four points from three games. Equatorial Guinea also have four points but lie in third place on goal difference while the DRC are runaway leaders of the group with a 100 percent record after three games.
DRC beat Sierra Leone 3-1 in Group E’s other match on Thursday condemning their opponents to a third successive defeat, which all but eliminates them from contention.
Zimbabwe need victory by any margin today and then hope to complete a double over Sierra Leone on MatchDay 5 in March next year to reach the finals as head-to-head will come into play in the event that the Warriors and Equatorial Guinea finish tied on 10 points.
Today’s outcome will largely depend on how the goalkeeper will perform as previous matches have seemingly been determined by the last man in the Warriors defence.
Elvis Chipezeze was largely to blame in the home defeat to DRC and this forced the coaches to drop him completely and bring in Scottland goalkeeper, Nelson Chadya who kept a clean sheet on Thursday.
Fully aware of the task ahead, Chadya says he is ready.
“I am ready for Monday (today). I was ready on Thursday, and I am ready for Monday (today),” says Chadya.
“We got a point away from home. Now we must finish the job at home. We must win in front of our fans. I know this is a must-win game. I know what is at stake. I know the fans expect us to win. We will fight. We will give everything.
“I have been waiting for this moment for a long time. From Heartily, to Ngezi Platinum, to Scottland, to the Warriors. I have worked for this. I will not let the nation down.”
