Zim could be Afcon 2017’s surprise package

AS SOUTHERN Africa’s only representatives at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), Zimbabwe carry the hopes of a region desperate to dominate like north and west African countries.

Zimbabwe will soon begin a journey that could be remembered as their finest in the competition.

Former midfielder Esrom Nyandoro, who was part of the last Zimbabwean team to qualify for Afcon a decade ago, has a good feeling about the current generation and has warned that they could be the tournament’s surprise package.

Zimbabwe are in Group B with Algeria, Tunisia and Senegal. They face Algeria on Sunday.

“I’ve been following the team’s preparations and there are a lot of positives. The coach [Callisto Pasuwa] is aiming high and the team believes they can get to the quarterfinals.

“This is one of the best teams Zimbabwe has ever assembled,” said Nyandoro yesterday.

“People must not look at names of countries. It’s about what you put out there on the pitch and the captain [Willard Katsande] said they would fight for one another.

“If they do that, then anything is possible. Against Malawi during the qualifiers, the team travelled by bus and had little rest, but they showed their willingness to fight for the country. We are in a tough group, but it’s about who wants it more.”

What excites Nyandoro is the strike force – Pasuwa is spoilt for choice up front. He has Knowledge Musona, Tendai Ndoro, Khama Billiat, Evans Rusike and Cuthbert Malajila as options.

“All round the team is solid. In midfield, there’s [Danny] Phiri and Katsande. All I can say is Zimbabwe should not be taken for granted. If we play the way we played in the qualifiers, then we can go through.”