eBusiness Weekly
Langton Nyakwenda
Warriors star player, Khama Billiat arrived on Monday, skipper Knowledge Musona jetted in the following day before Nottingham Forest key defender, Tendai Darikwa, completed the arrivals list yesterday as Zimbabwe brace for a make or break African Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo Brazzaville at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The Warriors, who lead Group G with eight points from five matches, need at least a point to qualify for the 2019 Afcon finals, which will be played in Egypt in June.
Warriors coach Sunday “Mhofu” Chidzambwa has called on the nation to pull in one direction, while captain Musona believes his troops will deliver.
“Whatever comes out at the end of the game, it has to be the best from us, so that we can go to Egypt and I think there’s no pressure, we are going to deliver like we did before,” Musona told the media at the Harare International Airport upon his arrival from his base in Belgium on Tuesday.
There have been concerns over Musona’s fitness, as the FC Lokeren loanee is fighting a groin injury, but the Aces Youth Soccer Academy star forward is adamant he will feature for the Warriors on Sunday.
It will be a huge blow for the Warriors should Musona fail a late fitness test, as Zimbabwe are already without highly rated midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, who is also battling an injury.
Musona has scored four goals for Zimbabwe in this campaign, including a hat trick against Liberia in the opening qualifier back in June 2017.
Veteran gaffer Chidzambwa is attempting to become the first coach to take the Warriors to two Afcon finals having done so firstly in 2004 when Zimbabwe qualified for their maiden dance in Egypt.
Charles Mhlauri took the Warriors to their second appearance in 2006 before Kalisto Pasuwa attained the same feat in 2017.
However, Chidzambwa is not beating his chest and neither does he want to take personal glory, should the Warriors qualify on Sunday.
“This is not about individuals, this team doesn’t belong to the Chidzambwas, this is national duty and we all need to pull in one direction.
“This is not about whether Sunday (Chidzambwa) makes it again, it is about Zimbabwe as a nation,” Chidzambwa said.
The former Dynamos gaffer, who remains the only local coach to reach the Caf Champions League final, has called in a seemingly powerful squad as he bids to attain another milestone.
Wales-based centre back Alec Mudimu, Germany-based Kelvin Lunga, the returning Kuda Mahachi and Leicester City reserve side player Admiral Muskwe, are amongst the players in camp.
Orlando Pirates defensive linkman Marshal Munetsi, Saud Arabia-based striker Abba Amidu and Bloemfontein Celtic roving left back Ronald Pfumbidzai are also part of Chidzambwa’s squad.
Zimbabwe lead Group G with eight points, one ahead of Liberia who occupy second place.
Congo DR are third with six points while Congo anchor the log with five points from five games.
The reverse fixture between Congo and Zimbabwe ended 1-1 in Brazzaville in 2018.
