Warriors target early goals

Eddie Chikamhi-Senior Sports Reporter

UTILITY player Godknows Murwira is defiant the weakened Warriors side that lost 0-3 to Eswatini in the first leg of the CHAN 2025 first round qualifier can still spring back to life.

They hope to upset the hosts in the return leg to be played at Mbombela Stadium in South Africa tomorrow.

The Warriors face an early exit after conceding a shock defeat at their adopted home in Botswana last Sunday.

They need to score at least four goals to gain straight passage to the final round of the qualifying matches against Madagascar next month.

Zimbabwe’s defeat to Eswatini has been blamed largely on lack of experience in the side after the Warriors technical team decided to give first time calls to a host of Under-20 and Under-23 players as part of the association’s development thrust.

Murwira backed the young guns to find their feet.

“All I can say is that our performance was not a true reflection of the result,” he said.

“We played better than the result suggests. So, we are going to try and rectify the mistakes we made when we conceded those goals and looking forward to scoring gals because we would want to proceed to the next round of the CHAN qualifiers.”

The Warriors, who had set up camp in Francistown since last Sunday, travelled to South Africa yesterday for the return match. The match will kick off 6pm tomorrow.

The Zimbabwe squad was dominated by rookies bereft of international experience and coach Takesure Chiragwi has since called up the Dynamos duo of Emmanuel Jalai and goalkeeper Martin Mapisa to reinforce the side.

They replaced Manica Diamonds defender Thubelihle Jubani and injured goalkeeper Donovan Bernard. The rest of the squad has been kept intact with young players such as Allan Chapinduka (TelOne FC), Anotidaishe Gwatidzo (Yadah FC), Zibusiso Ruguchu (Herentals), Blessing Kagudu (Herentals), Chris Mukumbira (Bikita Minerals), Blessed Ndereki (Yadah FC), Mthokozisi Msebe (Simba Bhora) and McKinnon Mushore (Highlanders) in line for selections.

Chiragwi also has at his disposal Kwekwe United’s Tinashe Mashaireni, Denzel Mapuwa (GreenFuel), Enock Moyo (Bikita Minerals), Junior Bunjira (CAPS United), Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya (FC Platinum), Tinashe Mavhudzi (Chegutu Pirates), Prince Ndlovu (Highlanders) and Ashwin Karengesha (ZPC Kariba).

Murwira is expected to provide leadership on the pitch, with the support of other experienced players such as Obriel Chirinda, Brian Banda, Jalai and Mapisa.

“There were nerves in the first game. Some of the guys it was their first call up to the national team and the tempo of course was different. Now, going into the net game, everyone is ready. I think the nerves are now gone and everyone wants to demonstrate what they are made of.

“Obviously we are trailing but in the next encounter we will try and score as quick as possible so that we can stabilize the game and score more than they scored in Botswana,” said Murwira.

The winner between Zimbabwe and Eswatini will face Madagascar in the second round qualifier between December 20-22 and December 27-29 for a spot in next year’s CHAN finals.

The tournament, which is reserved for players plying their trade in their home leagues, is set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from February 1-28 next year.