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Harare Bureau
ZIMBABWE international Cuthbert Malajila reckons that the Warriors have bright chances of beating Libya and storm into the finals when they play in the African Nations Championships semi-final at the Free State Stadium this evening (5PM).In 2011, Malajila once had a stint at Libyan club Al Akhadhar before fleeing political conflict and re-joining Dynamos.
The Warriors forward is now playing for South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns and is ineligible to play in the Chan tournament, which is exclusive to players plying their trade in their home leagues.
However, Malajila yesterday told our Harare Correspondent from his base in Pretoria that he was backing the Warriors to go all the way and even lift the trophy.
A win for Zimbabwe will see them playing either Nigeria or Ghana who are pitting each other in a West African derby later tonight.
“The North Africans play a tactical game and they are not as physical as the West Africans. Usually they play a passing game and are full of running during the whole game,” said Malajila.
To reach the semi-finals, Zimbabwe finished second in their Group B pool and then proceeded to the quarter-finals where they beat Mali 2-1 at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday. Ironically, Zimbabwe could have played Libya in an international friendly at the National Sports Stadium on January 4, but the North Africans later withdrew, while it could still have been an interesting scenario had Gabon qualified for the semi-finals.
Zimbabwe beat Gabon 2-0 in a friendly match in Johannesburg as they prepared for the tournament. Going into this semi-final match, Zimbabwe may be having a psychological boost of enjoying “home advantage.”
The meeting between Zimbabwe and Libya today is the second in as many Chan tournaments after they played in Group B at the inaugural edition in Cote d’Ivoire in 2009 with the match ending goalless.
On November 27, 1999, Zimbabwe beat the Mediterranean Knights 2-1 in a friendly at the National Sports Stadium but Malajila warns that victory is not to be taken for granted today.
“I believe the game will be as tough as playing the West Africans but Zimbabwe need to be disciplined both tactically and physically. But so far Zimbabwe have been doing well and I hope that they progress to the final or even bring the trophy home,” said Malajila.
Malajila warned the Warriors to be very cautious when the Libyans get freekicks or corner kicks.
“As I said, they are very good tactically and they take their time to practice set-pieces like corner kicks or penalties and we just have to be cautious,” Malajila said.
As they take on the Libyans tonight, coach Ian Gorowa is not expected to make wholesale changes to the team that won the last two matches against Burkina Faso and Mali.
Big goalkeeper George Chigova is set to reclaim his place between the posts while the coach is comfortable with his defence of Hardlife Zvirekwi, Milton Ncube, Eric Chipeta and skipper Partson Jaure.
Gorowa can also throw in Felix Chindungwe in the mix but it has been Danny Phiri who has done most of the dirty work as the holding midfielder.
The slippery Kuda Mahachi could be under the Libyans’ spotlight and that could give room for another player like Masimba Mambare, Charles Sibanda or any of the Simba Sitholes to get a goal.
Meanwhile, the Sports Commission has thrown its weight behind the Warriors for a hearty show at the African Nations Championship. Sports Commission director-general Charles Nhemachena yesterday sent a solidarity message to the team.
“The Sport and Recreation Commission joins the rest of the nation in congratulating our Warriors on the impressive progress made so far at the Chan tournament.
“The win against Mali was just the tonic we needed, the soccer success-starved citizens needed to start believing in ourselves again.
“The Warriors have demonstrated that all they need is the necessary support and good planning to bring glory to our nation. Let us therefore continue to rally behind the team as they prepare for their next assignment,” said Nhemachena.
Online Reporter