adminThe Warriors will host the Palancas Negras in the final qualifier, first leg with the hosts needing to fully utilise home advantage in order to build a strong platform for possible qualification for the Nations Cup finals in South Africa in January.
But the Warriors preparations have not been what one would have wished for a massive game such as Sunday’s final qualifier against 2010 Nations Cup hosts Angola .
Rahman Gumbo’s foreign legion have virtually been trickling into camp at a snail’s pace and last night two more players, Swedish-based midfielder Archieford Gutu and winger Quincy Antipas who plies his trade in Denmark had arrived.
Winger Antipas last featured for the national team last year and is coming with added confidence after he recently joined top Danish side Bronby IF this week.
The former Motor Action and CAPS United player sealed a move from Sonderjyske on Monday.
Big striker Takesure Chinyama, defenders, Carlington Nyadombo, Vusa Nyoni and midfielder Esrom Nyandoro had earlier joined camp yesterday morning.
Talismanic forward Knowledge Musona who plays in Germany, veteran Bidvest Wits midfielder Tinashe Nengomasha, Plymouth Argyle left-back Onismor Bhasera and injured goalkeeper and skipper Tapuwa Kapini were among the foreign-based payers still conspicuous by their absence.
While they had all been expected in yesterday, the quartet had not showed up at the Warriors camp at Pandhari Lodge.
With time fast ticking towards match day, it is certainly not the best of scenarios Gumbo would have loved to have in easily the Warriors biggest match of their 2013 Nations Cup campaign.
The coach has previously made not secret of his wish to make the most of the five-day period in the build-up to the game and was banking on early arrivals in camp by his players to get their preparations underway without much hassles.
When training began on Tuesday morning, Gumbo and his assistants David Mandigora and Peter Ndlovu had nine players including the local contingent in camp.
The former FC Platinum coach also faces a goalkeeping crisis with the duo of first choice Kapini and his immediate understudy Marlon Jani injured.
But for all the slow pace that has characterised their preparations, the Warriors are aware that this is their ultimate test and team manager Nyika Chifamba insisted there was a positive mood in camp.
Chifamba had been expecting the remainder of the players to be in by late last night and early this morning.
“We are still hopeful that the players will continue coming in.
“Tapuwa is said to be injured but all the same our team doctor will have a look at him if he comes.
“I think the players all know that this game is crucial and it has huge bearing on their careers.
“It’s one game that could set them toward qualifying for the next edition of the Africa Nations Cup,” said Chifamba.
Yesterday the Warriors held a training session at Rufaro in the morning before shifting to the Italian Sports Club at the last minute for their afternoon work amid concerns by the players that the surface at the match venue was hard.
While the Warriors, who have now eased back into the top 100 on the latest Fifa/Coca-Cola football rankings were training under a cloud of secrecy, their opponents Angola were set to play Moroka Swallows yesterday.
Zimbabwe have moved eight places up the ladder on the latest Fifa rankings released yesterday as they are now 98th in the world.
At the last rankings, Zimbabwe, were outside the top 100, are now 25th on the Caf ratings with 358 points.
Their opponents Angola are ranked 80th in the world and 20th in Africa
Angola coach Gustavo Ferrin said he was expecting a tough tie as Zimbabwe wanted to get the upper ahead of the final qualifier next month.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter