happiness Chikwanha
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WARRIORS coach Michael Nees is happy with how things have come together as all but one of the players have arrived in Cote d’Ivoire for the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against Benin on Friday.
Although Zimbabwe anchor the six-team Group C with only four points in six matches, a massive nine behind leaders South Africa, they still have an arithmetic chance to win the pool and pick the sole ticket available to play in the global fiesta to be jointly staged in the United States of America, Mexico and Canada next year.
But all that will depend on a set of factors that should come into play in match day seven including their own showdown against Benin with whom they played a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture in Durban, South Africa in March.
At least Nees has nothing to complain about as he prepares his squad for Friday evening’s tie.
Fifteen of his players including the locally-based ones and those playing in the South African league as well as Bill Antonio arrived on Sunday while the rest of the players save for Italy-based Jordan Zemura who will touch down today, were expected last night.
Speaking about the camp, Nees said: “Everything is in place. We arrived here safely and at the hotel also everything is fine. I think we have nothing to complain, really not. I think we made the right choice.
“It’s not too loud, it’s not too crowded.
“Good quality and good fitness (facilities) actually. We are basically happy. The training comes later. Two thirds of the crowd is here. The latest arrives tonight (yesterday), and tomorrow I think.
“So I think everything is in order.”
The Warriors will have to make do without Wolves star Marshal Munetsi who is suspended for this match but the agile midfielder will be in Johannesburg, South Africa where the Warriors host Rwanda on Tuesday next week in match day eight of the qualifiers.
Yet the camp appeared to be overshadowed by a sideshow involving Sheffield Wednesday’s Sean Fusire who has been excluded and replaced by Reading’s Tivonge Rushesha.
ZIFA said the midfielder had “made demands whose financial implications, the Association could not fulfil.”
Warriors in camp
Godknows Murwira
Walter Musona
Emmanuel Jalai
Terrence Dzvukamanja
Martin Mapisa
Knowlege Musona
Tymon Machope
Gerald Takwara
Tawanda Chirewa
Marvelous Nakamba
Washington Arubi
Elvis Chipezeze
Thando Ngwenya
Divine Lunga
Bill Antonio
Expected Monday night
Tivonge Rushesha
Brendan Galloway
Tawanda Maswanhise
Munashe Garananga
Tino Kadewere
Prosper Padera
Teenage Hadebe
Arriving Tuesday
Jordan Zemura
Online Reporter