adminRay Bande Senior Sports Reporter
WARRIORS have a realistic chance of taking pole position in Group L when they plunge into battle against Swaziland in all important Africa Cup of Nations back-to-back qualifiers set for Good Friday (tomorrow) away and Easter Monday at home.
Zimbabwe needs to win both matches to enhance their chances of qualifying for the tournament in Gabon for the first time since 2006.
After two rounds of Group L matches, Zimbabwe are second to log leaders Swaziland in a group that also includes Guinea and Malawi thus, winning against Swaziland in both back to back matches puts the Warriors on top of the table.
Coach Calisto Pasuwa has since named a strong squad laced with Europe-based star Costa Nhamoinesu, inform players such Belgium based Knowledge Musona, Sundowns winger Khama Billiat and Kaizer Chiefs hardman Willard Kastande.
Mutare born Onsimo Bhasera, who is now turning out for Bidvest in the ABSA Premiership, is also part of the squad.
Interestingly, most of the players in the Sihlangu squad ply their trade in their local league, giving the Warriors, whose players are drawn mostly from Europe and South Africa, an advantage over the Sihlangu.
In a telephone interview upon his arrival on Wednesday afternoon, Bhasera expressed optimism that the Warriors Class of 2016 will be able to get maximum points against Silhangu.
“I think the coaches named a very strong squad that is capable of bringing good results. In fact I have no doubt that the team is able to win both matches – back to back.
“I am not underrating Swaziland, especially when they are playing at home, but I have confidence in the squad that the coaches announced,” said Bhasera.
It is crystal clear that Zimbabwe soccer fans are now thirsty for success in football with the Chan Class of 2016 squad recently finishing bottom of their pool with just one point to show for their efforts after more than 270 minutes of play in Rwanda.
The team lost their first two Group D matches by identical 1-0 score-lines and in similar circumstances against Zambia and Mali to bow out of the competition.
Zimbabwe now faces Swaziland after the Warriors missed a golden opportunity to seize the initiative in Group L of the 2017 Afcon qualifiers when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Guinea in Harare in September last year.
Meanwhile, Swaziland have been dealt a blow ahead of their Afcon 2017 qualifying showdown against Zimbabwe’s Warriors in Mbabane on Good Friday after it emerged one of their key defenders, Phumlani Dlamini, has been suspended for the crunch tie.
The 27-year-old Dlamini, who plays his club football in Swaziland for Manzini Wanderers, has seven caps to his name, but will not take any part in the match against the Warriors because of the suspension by Caf.
Online Reporter