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ZIMBABWE’S Warriors are bullish ahead of their African Nations Championships Battle of the Zambezi qualifying showdown against Zambia at Rufaro with midfielder Tawanda Muparati declaring yesterday that Chipolopolo are not invincible. The Warriors host the 2012 African Champions in the first of the decisive battles to determine which will win the ticket to the Chan finals in South Africa next January.
In a repeat of their 20 July Cosafa Cup final, which Chipolopolo won 2-0 at Levy Mwanawasa stadium in Ndola, the two teams will square off once again using only home based players.
Muparati was not in Ndola when the Warriors surrendered their Cosafa crown to Chipolopolo but after impressing coach Ian Gorowa on his debut in the 3-0 win over Mauritius in Curepipe, the hard working Dynamos midfielder is aware that the real test will come against bigger opposition such as the Zambians.
The Dynamos vice-captain also said their bunch of home-based Warriors was eager to qualify for the Chan finals as they are aware that it could be the platform for them to play professional football outside the country.
Muparati has been one of the most consistent performers for the Harare giants during the past two seasons when they won the Castle Lager Premiership and the Mbada Diamonds Cup.
The Zambians have also grown in strength since October 2009 when they lost 3-1 to the Warriors in the Cosafa Cup finals.
In contrast the Warriors have been on a free fall but Muparati was happy that the combinations in their team were slowly working.
Interestingly, current form counts for little when theWarriors and Chipolopolo clash and Muparati is one of a number of changes that have been made to the side that fell in Ndola last month.
Despite being a key midfielder for Dynamos, the former Douglas Warriors man had until Gorowa’s appointment been overlooked by successive interim Warriors coaches including Klaus Dieter Pagels.
But with his club coach Callisto Pasuwa joining the Warriors as an assistant to Gorowa, it coincided with Muparati being considered for national duty.
Now with two senior national team caps to his name, the Dynamos vice-captain wants to grab the opportunity with both hands and said he is not looking back in his career for both the club and the country.
After having been exposed to international football through the African Champions League campaigns with DeMbare, Muparati said he is quickly adjusting to the demands of the national team.
“I have played just two games for the national team but things are looking good if I continue working hard.
“My debut game for the senior national team was away in Mauritius and I would like to believe that I did my best.
“The pitch we used was not favourable because it had rained just before the game and we failed to play well,” said Muparati.
On Sunday, Muparati was introduced for Charles Sibanda in the 46th minute as Gorowa sought to add impetus to his attack.
With a little bit of luck Muparati could have grabbed at least a goal after he got a handful of chances against Club M.
Muparati, however, made the final pass to skipper Masimba Mambare which gave Zimbabwe the winner in the 85th minute off a cross from fellow substitute Ali Sadiki.
“During the return leg at Rufaro we did not utilise the numerous chances that came our way,” said Muparati.
Muparati had been on the radar of South African side Black Leopards and now he believes getting regular exposure at international stage could bring another stroke of luck in his profession.
“With the way I have played over the last two matches, there are one or two things that I need to improve on.
“I am still relatively new to the national team system but I can do better if I continue working hard,” Muparati said.
The Warriors stepped up their preparations at the match venue yesterday with left back Augustine Mbara returning to camp after being given time off last week to attend a family bereavement.
Given that Triangle’s Blessing Chimwamuchere appeared nervous against Mauritius, Mbara’s return looks set to be a welcome boost for the Warriors coaches.
In-form defensive midfielder Devon Chafa was also back in training after missing the Tuesday session because of a headache.
Coach Gorowa has also already challenged his troops to make a loud statement on Sunday by securing a win that will stand them in good stead for qualification for the Chan finals.
Although Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela yesterday appeared unsure about Zambia’s itinerary, there were indications that the Cosafa champions could arrive today or tomorrow.
Reports from Lusaka, however indicated yesterday that Zambia’s French coach Herve Renard has recalled Power Dynamos midfielder Lubambo Musonda and Zanaco midfielder Roderick Kabwe while Mukuka Mulenga has been sidelined by an injury.
The Zambians are understood to be facing a tight schedule with some of the players who will travel to Harare also being included in the squad that will face Senegal in Paris in an international friendly next Wednesday.
Online Reporter