The Manica Post

...As Mutare speaks on Warriors chances

- Senior Sports Reporter

THE 2017 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations begins tomorrow in Gabon and football enthusiast­s in Mutare have expressed confidence that the Warriors’ Class of 2017 is capable of going beyond the group stages.

Post Sport went on the streets of Mutare to fi nd out football fans’ views on the chances that Warriors have in the biggest soccer festival for the continent.

I have no doubt that the Warriors will put up a good fight. Judging by the performanc­e against Cameroon on Tuesday night, it is encouragin­g to note that the team exudes confidence and seem to be ready for the tournament.

The good thing is that we have a good squad that can match the standards of our opponents. Yes, on paper, the teams that we have in Group B are stronger than us, but looking at the squad that we have, the character and depth in talent, I am confident that we will get the results that we want to progress.

What I like most about the squad that is going to represent us is that the coach, Callisto Pasuwa is spoilt for choice especially up front. He has Knowledge Musona, in-form Tendai Ndoro, Cuthbert Malajila, Khama Billiat — the second best player on the continent according to Caf — and Tino Kadewere at his disposal.

Th is means that he has more than enough options. That is healthy for any team going into a tournament of this nature. I really do not see them failing to go beyond the group stages.

We are going to surprise many if Pasuwa tells his boys to work hard on the pitch. Although we have quality players, if they don’t play as a unit we will defi nitely disappoint. I wish them the best.

There is every reason to believe in this team. They soldiered on when things were tight and gave us results that we all wanted even when we subjected them to road trips ahead of crucial matches. Now that the situation is relatively comfortabl­e I have every reason to believe that we will even more from them.

There was a time that we had lost all the confidence in the Warriors, but I am happy that Callisto Pasuwa and his boys have rekindled that bond that used to exist between the Warriors and their millions of fans across the country.

After all is said and done, let the games begin and all we can say is Go Warriors Go!

I have a feeling that we are going to pull a surprise. We are going to conquer and shock many exactly the way FA Premier League team, Leicester City did last season. We have enough arsenal to shock any of our opponents only if we play as a unit. I think as Zimbabwean­s, we should also pray for the lads to stay focused. We need to beat Algeria first and make sure we do not concede goals in any of the games. If you don’t concede you don’t lose. I trust our technical team led by Pasuwa. They have the potential to reach the semis. All eyes are on us and it is refreshing to note that we have full support of Southern African countries.

 ??  ?? brace, but his effort 10 minutes later was ruled offside.
Then the Indomitabl­e Lions were awarded a penalty when forward Sally Edgard was adjudged to have been felled in the box and the hosts’ skipper Benjamin Moukandjo converted, to ensure the two...
brace, but his effort 10 minutes later was ruled offside. Then the Indomitabl­e Lions were awarded a penalty when forward Sally Edgard was adjudged to have been felled in the box and the hosts’ skipper Benjamin Moukandjo converted, to ensure the two...

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