adminPetros Kausiyo Deputy Sports Editor
ZIFA were yesterday still awaiting a Confederation of African decision before they know the venue of the Warriors’ African Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars following a late bid by the hosts to switch the game from Dar es Salaam to Mbeya.
The Warriors will face the Taifa Stars on May 18 in a first round, first leg tie but Zifa were yesterday still awaiting a report of the Caf inspection team that was reportedly dispatched to Mbeya to assess the state of the Sokoine Memorial Stadium where Tanzania’s Football Federation now want to stage the game.
Zifa chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze said he had in his response on the proposed change of stadium told the TFF that his association “would stand guided by the tournament’s organisers (Caf) on the issue of the venue’’ because Zimbabwe had been made to understand that the match would be in Dar es Salaam.
That decision by the Caf inspection team, will according to Warriors manager Shariff Mussa, also determine the senior side’s travel itinerary.
The TFF this week wrote to Zifa advising them of the switch from the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam to the Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya, a city 829km south west of the capital.
“We understand that Caf are to inspect the stadium today (yesterday) to determine the suitability of the venue for a game of this magnitude.
“The outcome of that inspection will also have an impact on how we travel and train because it would mean we would need to catch a connecting flight when we get to Dar es Salaam.
“If that game is moved to Mbeya it will make our life a little more difficult, logistically, because we don’t know how long the stop-over will be before we connect from Dar es Salaam.
“So we just hope and pray that the game stays in Dar es Salaam so that it doesn’t affect our plans. It is also unfortunate that Tanzania only notified us about this proposal on Wednesday when they wrote to Zifa,’’ Mussa said.
Warriors and Kaizer Chiefs midfield hard man Willard Katsande said they were bracing for a physical encounter against the Taifa Stars and warned against underestimating the East Africans. “In African football I have realised that the home team really makes you work for a result and it will not be that easy playing away against Tanzania, we really have to fight hard and we have to be ready for a physical game from them too,’’ Katsande said.
Katsande, seeking a maiden appearance at the Nations Cup, said he was aware that the Warriors needed to deliver against Tanzania if they are to go all the way to the final qualification phase of the 2015 tournament in Morocco. The 28-year-old midfielder also said he was happy that the Warriors showing at the CHAN tournament had given them a platform from which to build for the Nations Cup and indicated that he was keen to repay the faith shown in him by his national coach Gorowa.
“After getting selected I just need to give it my best if I get the chance to play. We need to approach the game carefully especially because we are playing away.
“Some people might say Tanzania are an easy team but I don’t believe that… this is African soccer where each team that is playing at their home will make you really work and I think it’s going to be a physical game because Tanzania also have some strong players,’’ Katsande said.
Although there would be a lot of expectations for him to reproduce the kind of form that ensured Chiefs gave a strong fight the league title, Katsande said he would not feel any pressure to deliver for the Warriors.
“I have been playing for a while now and I think I know how to handle the pressure,’’ Katsande said.
The Warriors, who have not come together since their fourth place finish at the CHAN tournament on February 1, are expected to start regrouping tomorrow ahead of their trip to Tanzania.
Online Reporter