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Our dear national team, the Warriors, troop into battle again at the end of this month as they host Swaziland’s Sihlangu in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
The Group L tie is a top-of-the-table clash and there is everything to play for in the encounter.
Still smarting from an early elimination at the first hurdle during last month’s Chan tournament, our boys need to make up for that disappointment by getting a good result that boosts our confidence levels going into the back-to-back return fixture away in Mbabane.
That Chan disappointment is still hurting and can only be put behind us – the team and the fans – if the Warriors do enough in this match, and win, so as to set us in good pose at the top of Group L standings.
The momentum is already there – we are coming from a continental tournament and going into the qualifiers for another major one and we are joint group leaders with our next opponents; so, we just have to keep it going.
Staying among the leading pack in the group will see us stay in contention as we battle to secure qualification to the tournament’s finals set for Gabon next year.
As Warriors, we have to fight true to our name and make life easier for ourselves at every turn of the qualifiers by garnering positive results that favourably aid our quest for qualification.
If we made mistakes in the build-up to the Chan tournament, then we have to address and redress them on our way to Afcon. Also, what we learned from participation at Chan should spur us to reaching for the Afcon qualification goal.
If Chan was a learning curve, then Afcon has to be the stage for implementation and success.
It is good that our national teams do not have to worry about the financial rewards for representing their country anymore, thanks to Zifa’s rewarding partnership with benefactor, Wicknel Chivayo, and all that remains is for the players and their coaches to do the job for the nation on the pitch.
Callisto Pasuwa and his men have their work cut out and this time they have to deliver.
We cannot afford another disappointment and subsequent apology from the Warriors after this game and at the end of the qualifiers, lest we get worried again.
Brilliant, barking Barca has a bite
The reigning champions last weekend equalled the all-time Spanish record of 34 games unbeaten in all competitions (28 wins, 6 draws) set by eternal enemies Real Madrid in the 1988-89 season when they beat Sevilla 2-1.
Barcelona are well set on track to their sixth La Liga title in eight years as they hold a commanding points lead over nearest rivals and neighbours Atletico Madrid, with 12 games remaining.
Foxes on the hunt
For a club that was fighting relegation and finished 14th in the Barclays English Premier League last season under Nigel Pearson, Leicester City have had a stunning revival with Italian and former Chelsea coach Claudio Ranieri.
As the finishing line appears on the horizon, the Foxes, led by Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy, are certainly on the hunt and should be fancying their chances to be crowned champions.
Dirk flies like a Kuyt
The Dutch international and former Liverpool striker has become the oldest player (35 years, 221 days) in 56 years to score 15 goals in the Eredivisie after netting Feyenoord’s winner in their 2-1 victory over Utrecht on Sunday.
It’s Game On, Play On!
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Online Reporter