Warriors hunt Foxes ...We are not afraid, Bhasera says
WARRIORS left back Onismor Bhasera admits that the Algeria battle at Stade de Franceville today is not for the faint-hearted. Kalisto Pasuwa’s charges face a reality check in their first group B match at the 2017 Afcon finals in Gabon where they have the underdog tag. Yet Bhasera, who fell short of joining the English Premier League in the past years, believes they can stop a team inspired by the reigning Barclays Premiership Player of the season as well as 2016 African Footballer of the Year Riyad Mahrez who plays for Leicester. On paper there is a gulf in class and analysts here are not giving the Warriors a chance. But yesterday the SuperSport United defender wore a brave face, declaring that the Desert Foxes must fall.
“When we l look at their team sheet they are strong in many ways bu but we are just going to concentrate on our game. The coachcoa is going to decide who he is going to play and in whatwh way. Those on the bench will support. We are not rea really worried about them,’’ said Bhasera.
In the build-upbuild to this match, the Warriors have not been exposed to North African opponents. The last two friendly match matches have been against West African teams — Cote d’lvoired’lvo and Cameroon. Algeria will offer a different challengechal and fears are that the hot humid conditions in these parts of Africa could also be a huge factor.
“We are feelingfee very good and the morale has been very high. We have settled very well and we came in with a couple of days left to adjust to these conditions,” Bhasera said.
Coach Pasu Pasuwa said they are paying attention to detail.
“The doctorsdoctor were advising these boys to take a lot of fluids. Some o of these boys are not used to playing under these conditio conditions,” he said.
The Warrio Warriors gaffer has been preaching the gospel of balance in thet build-up to this tournament. Nothing has changed.
“Football is also about defending. You defend as much as you attack. We are going there as underdogs. But again we need to give ourselves a chance in terms of going forward.forw We have to work on that, also in terms of winningwinn ball possession in time.’’
Pasuwa is aware that Algeria will be different and if they hang on in the first moments of the game, they could stand a chance.
“In the last game (Cameroon) we played, in the first 10 minutes we were under pressure and the boys resisted. And we think when we play on Sunday, it will be a different ball game together,” he said.
At the Press briefing yesterday, Pasuwa added that the absence of suspended Marvelous Nakamba would not affect the team. Nakamba is suspended for the first game.
“Yes, Nakamba was a key player for us in the qualification campaign. But we have other players that can replace him. That is why we carried 23 players,” he said.
e Warriors coach told Khama Billiat and Knowledge Musona to play without pressure.
“Khama was recognised in Africa and he is one of our best players. But I told him to play his normal game. Musona is one of them, he is in the same situation. They have to play without pressure. This is their chance to also impress and play at those leagues,” Pasuwa said.
Asked if he had done enough homework on the profile of the players, Pasuwa said: “That is the duty of the coach and we know what we are up against.”
Captain Willard Katsande said they will do the talking on the pitch.
“We know exactly what we are capable of as a team and the guys are ready. You will then see what we are capable of,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Warriors were yesterday in danger of using unregistered uniforms after the kit they ordered was yet to be delivered by afternoon. Zimbabwe were also expected to conduct a training in the evening yesterday. Gabon.................................................... (0) 1 Guinea-Bissau .......................................(0) 1 GUINEA-BISSAU continued their fairy-tale run by holding Gabon to a 1-1 draw in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations opener at the Stade de l’Amitié in Libreville on Saturday.
The African minnows, playing in their first Afcon, scored a 91st minute equaliser through Juary Soares to claim a point in the Group A clash.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looked to have secured all three points for the Panthers, but having switched off in the final 10 minutes of the clash the hosts were duly punished.
Like plenty of Nations Cup openers in years gone by, this particular clash also got off to a rather lethargic start with neither side showing real impetus nor rhythm in the early exchanges.
Gabon’s first chance of the match fell to Malick Evouna on 20 minutes, but the China-based forward was unable to direct Aubameyang’s pin-point cross past the Guinea-Bissau goal-minder.
Zezinho then fired the visitors first shot in anger over the crossbar in the 31st minute before Mario Lemina saw his header attempt just wide of goal at the other end of the park. The Juventus man ,having flung himself at a free-kick; not rewarded for what would have been a quality goal.
The home side came out firing after the break with Denis Bouanga forcing Jonas Mendes into a good save in the 49th minute of the clash, and it would be the Strasbourg man to play a key role in the first goal of the showpiece.
Aubameyang popping up at the far post to poke home a precise cross by Bouanga three minutes later, 1-0 to Gabon.
The Borussia Dortmund forward squandered a glorious chance to double the hosts lead in the 69th minute. Lemina doing excellent work to keep the ball in play before supplying the Panthers captain, who sent his volley attempt over the crossbar.
But, for all their graft Gabon seemed a tad reluctant in the final exchanges and after Toni Silva and Frédéric Mendy missed gilt-edged chances, Soares rose highest to level matters.
The burly centre-back guiding the ball past Didier Ovono as the home crowd were shocked to silence. Gabon coach José Antonio Camacho now has his work cut out with games against Burkina Faso and Cameroon to follow.
Gabon: Ovono; Palun, E.Manga, Appindangoye, Obiang - Tandjingora (Poko 84’), Lemina (Kanga 73’), Ndong - Evouna (Aboué 88’), Aubameyang, Bouanga Guinea-Bissau: Jonas; Dabo, Juary, Rudinilson, Soares - Zezinho, Santos (Aldair 75’), Nanissio, Brito - Camara (F.Mendy 66’), Mario (Piqueti 62’)