adminAccording to the Fifa/CocaCola World Rankings released by Fifa, from its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland yesterday morning, the Warriors are now ranked 89 in the world from 98 while on the African continent, they are now the 21st best team, up from 25 last month.
Warriors coach Gumbo welcomed the team’s movement up the ladder saying it really shows where the boys and the nation are going.
“That is good news indeed, it will give the boys some confidence and it’s a morale booster ahead of the return leg against Angola. As a coach I am happy and we should keep on improving,” said Gumbo.
He said some of his boys have got a point to prove and while doing that, the nation will be basking in glory.
“I know that I have some players whom I can call ‘no names’ in the squad and because of that they will be encouraged to put on more than 100 percent, just to prove a point,” said the Warriors mentor.
Zimbabwe’s opponents, Angola, dropped by three points but still remained above Zimbabwe, at 83 on the world stage and 21 in Africa. The Warriors’ opponents on the road to the World Cup in Brazil in 2014, Guinea, Mozambique and Egypt realised mixed fortunes on the radar with African’s once powerhouse, Egypt dropping to 40 on the world stage from 38 although they rose by a single point in Africa to fifth.
Guinea, who stunned the Warriors 1-0 at the National Sports Stadium, are now ranked 62 up from 69 on the world rankings and 12 in Africa, up five places.
With the next rankings set to be released on 7 November, a win or draw over Angola next week will definitely see the Warriors moving into the top 20 on the continent and because that victory guarantees a slot with Africa’s best in South Africa next year, come February 2013, Zimbabwe will be inside the 16 best countries in Africa, depending on how they would have performed during the finals.
Online Reporter