adminAugustine Hwata Sports Reporter
WARRIORS’ team manager, Shariff Mussa, says reality is now starting to dawn on the players that they have a big mission to accomplish at the CHAN finals which gets under way this weekend in South Africa. The senior national football team left Harare yesterday morning with 23 players in the 36-member delegation headed by Zifa Eastern Region chairman Fungai Chihuri.
After their arrival in Johannesburg, the Warriors had time to loosen up at a training ground in the city ahead of their international friendly against Gabon at the Rand Stadium this afternoon.
Speaking during the team’s training session yesterday, Mussa said he was happy with the clean bill of health in his camp as the clock ticks towards the Warriors’ opening game against Morocco on Sunday.
“The reality has now dawned on the players that we are here in South Africa and we have a mission to accomplish in the tournament.
“We are going to play Gabon in a friendly match tomorrow (today) and the boys are focused and excited at the same time.
“Lets hope we will have a good game against Gabon,” said Mussa.
Coach Ian Gorowa has already challenged his players to carry a positive attitude and believe in themselves.
Mussa said all the players were available for selection in what will be the Warriors’ only high-profile international friendly as the team will also play Ajax Cape Town on Thursday evening in Cape Town.
“We trained at a sports club about 40 minutes drive from our hotel and Gabon had used the same facilities earlier in the day,” said Mussa.
Gabonese coach Stephane Boungueza and his troops arrived in South Africa on Sunday.
Mussa said they had received a good reception from their hosts.
“We were well received in South African and there were no hitches. Everything went according to plan and we hope this streak continues.
“So far, we have not made contacts with Zimbabweans but maybe they will come to the game, which will be for free, tomorrow,” said Mussa.
Meanwhile, former Warriors and CAPS United midfielder Lionel Mtizwa is now club-hunting at Moroka Swallows after he was spotted at the Dube Birds training session yesterday.
Mtizwa spent the last season on loan at University of Pretoria after he was deemed surplus to the Mamelodi Sundowns requirements.
Reports from South Africa said Mtizwa is hoping to impress Swallows coach Zeca Marcques during the sessions at Bedfordview Sports Ground in Johannesburg.
Mtizwa arrived at the Brazilians in 2010 alongside Nyasha Mushekwi and Method Mwanjali but a spate of injuries saw him being sidelined before he was off-loaded.
He joined AmaTuks at the same time as former Dynamos goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
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