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This is a game Zimbabwe have no choice but to win if they want to keep alive hopes for a dance at the 2013 tournament in South Africa, as they trail 2-1 after losing the first leg in Bujumbura on 29 February.
Team manager Nyika Chifamba yesterday said the Warriors are not leaving anything to chance after meeting with disappointing results in the World Cup qualifiers this month.
Zimbabwe’s finishing has been a cause for concern in those matches and they will be hoping to strike the right chord after failing to find the target in their last two games despite creating the chances.
Tomorrow the whole nation will be waiting with abated breath as Rahman Gumbo’s men search for the elusive goals.
Chifamba said the players have dealt with the disappointments and are in the right frame of mind ahead of the game.
“The boys are in good mood. We know that there are no longer small teams in Africa but I think our chances of winning this game are greater because we played so well in the first leg. With a bit of luck we could have won or at least come back with an away point,” he said.
Chifamba said Zimbabwe have a mission to overturn the result. The technical team this week dedicated most of their time on finishing and the coaches called in camp more strikers to widen their options.
Chifamba said the Warriors have kept level heads ahead of this match and will not allow their dream to be shattered easily.
He also urged the supporters to come in thousands and root behind the team.
“Burundi are tricky but we are not worrying much about what happened in the first leg.
“This is a new game which we need to win at all costs. Such matches usually come with a burden to do extremely well especially in front of home fans.
“But I must say there is no pressure at all on us.
“We have some experienced players in the team, some of whom have made it at the big stage. They know how to handle such games,” said Chifamba.
“The fact that we are playing at home means a lot. Home advantage has to count and our fans can do a lot for us. We want more from them because we are at home. In Burundi they (the Burundi fans) were behind their team all the way even when the tide was against them. We must do likewise. I think some of our supporters with unruly tendencies would need to be educated on that. Honestly you cannot throw missiles at your own players when the chips are down and I appeal to them that that business of heckling our own team must come to a stop.
“We need to pull in one direction so that we do not give the visitors unnecessary advantage.
“We have no injuries except for Ovidy Karuru who is out with injury. Besides, all I can say is that the players are ready to give energies to win this game.”
Coach Gumbo is not expected to make major changes to his team. The technical side is expected to announce their final 18 after the morning training session today.
The back four which includes veteran Esrom Nyandoro, Carrington Nyadombo, Onismor Bhasera and Oscar Machapa is likely to remain untouched while changes could be made in the midfield to fill the vacancy created by Karuru’s absence.
Zimbabwe need to fix their midfield so that strikers get clean balls upfront where Knowledge Musona and Takesure Chinyama are also likely to get the nod in the final line-up.
Online Reporter