Milton Mashasha Sports Reporter in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
The ZIMBABWEAN senior men’s national soccer team the Warriors who are currently in Cameroon to take part in the African Nations Championship (Chan) tournament reserved for home based players that kicks off this evening at the Stade Ahmadou Adhiyo Stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon.The Warriors face the hosts the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the tournament opener today.
The Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic has assembled quite a strong side which will be led by the former FC Platinum and ZPC Kariba right back, Ian Nekati, The Chicken Inn wing back will be deputized by the Dynamos FC centreback Patson Jaure. The team also includes a lot of talent and promising players like the Highlanders FC young defender Andrew Mbeba, Denvar Mukamba,Peter Muduhwa, goalkeepers Aerial Sibanda, Nelson Chadya and Simba Chinani,veteran left back Qadr Amini, enterprising midfielder King Nadolo, frontman Farau Matare,pint sized midfielder maestro Richard Hachiro, steady forward Thomas Chideu just to mention but a few who can win a match for any coach. Although there were disturbances during their preparations here and there after some of their technical staff including him(Zdravko) and players tested positive to Covid 19 and they completely suspended the training sessions after consultations until all was well.It came to pass and all members and players recovered in time except one player who was later replaced.
The Warriors are in group A where there is Cameroon the hosts, Burkina Faso and Mali.
The Warriors will take on the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon this evening at the Stade Ahmadou Adhiyo Stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon. The hosts will enjoy playing in the home soil and take advantage and encouragement from the 12th men the fans who will be allowed into the 40 000 seater though not in that capacity due to Covid induced restrictions under the Government and CAF regulations.
The ZIMBABWEAN Warriors side will be no push overs even though in a foreign land with that abundance of experienced players in their ranks of which some of them this far played in the highest level and competitions.They will fight teeth and nails to grind results considering that most of the players if not all has not played football for more than 8-9 months due to the Covid 19 pandemic induced suspension but the positive results are needed.
The Warriors will then play against the Stallions of Burkina Faso on the 20th of January before they round off in their group stage campaign on January 24 against the Eagles of Mali of which at this pointing time they will be knowing their fate whether they remain in the competition or going back home.
Cameroon is holding the 6th edition since its inception in 2009 at Cote D’lvoire(Ivory Coast). The Warriors best performance so far came fourth in 2014 in South Africa where there were peeped, beaten from the 3rd position by the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
This is the time for the Warriors to pick themselves up to improve and fight for honours in this biggest African Soccer Fiesta.
Morocco are the current Champions after lifting the title in 2018 when they hosted the tournament.
The ZIMBABWEAN Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic is in a cloud nine mood with a boost of a clean bill of health no injury or illness worries moreover all the players and technical staff tested negative after undergoing a double test in Cameroon as per the Country and Caf’s regulations pertainingt(to curb) the spread of the CORONAVIRUS
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