Zimpapers Logo

Petros Kausiyo in RUBAVU, Rwanda
ZIMBABWE’S Warriors have vowed to literally “die on the pitch’’ to keep alive their 2016 African Nations Championship hopes.

The Warriors have found themselves on the ropes in Group D in this Rwandan border town where they are based.

A 1-0 defeat by eternal Southern African rivals Zambia coupled by the 2-2 draw between Mali and Uganda left the Warriors sitting bottom of the group and they are the only team without a point.

Today the Warriors will go into battle against the Eagles hoping to emulate the Class of 2014, that was under Ian “Dibango” Gorowa’ as coach and current gaffer Callisto Pasuwa as assistant.

Two years ago the Warriors, who had endured a slow start to their group campaign, turned on the magic on the West Africans to eliminate them at the quarter-final stage following a 2-1 win.

A lot has changed since then with Gorowa having resigned while the team that played at the 2014 CHAN edition, only skipper Hardlife Zvirekwi is still around and will start today.

CAPS United midfielder Joel Ngodzo, who could be given a run around today as Pasuwa tries to unlock the tall Malians, is the only other player with previous CHAN experience having been a key member of Madinda Ndlovu’s side that went to the 2011 competition in Sudan.

Apart from Pasuwa, goalkeepers’ coach Richard Tswatswa, kit manager Pio Mhizha and team manager Sharif Mussa are also still around.

The bulk of the playing squad and the backroom staff are, however, having their maiden CHAN tournament here.

And it got off to a worst possible start for the debutants with a defeat to their bitter rivals Zambia, who also avenged being knocked out of their final 2014 CHAN qualifier by Zimbabwe.

But as they braced for their decisive game at the Umuganda Stadium in their final session yesterday the Warriors appeared a united lot even after having lost to Chipolopolo.

Skipper Zvirekwi said the onus was now upon his troops to save their campaign or prepare to be among the first batch of teams to leave Rwanda.

The 28-year-old rightback reckoned that Pasuwa and his assistants had done their part and the challenge had been handed to them to deliver.

“We lost a battle but not the war. We are down but not out and despite that loss I must say the morale is still high in camp,’ said Zvirekwi.

“It is up to us to go out there and be prepared to die in order to avoid defeat and an early flight home.

“We still want to go further, we came here with a mission to go to the final and we believe we can achieve that and we are going to fight hard to do that.”

Zvirekwi said they were also aware that Mali would not be easy opponents.

“I do not think there is any team in Group D that one can describe as weak so we have to fight to get a victory.

“If we don’t fight we will be going home and we are not looking at going home early,’’ Zvirekwi said.

Zvirekwi also said they would not allow the West Africans to bully them on the pitch despite the Eagles having an edge in physique.

“We have our own game plan for each match and it is up to us to ensure we make as few mistakes as possible and make our game plan work and we know that Mali have their own weaknesses and strengths and we have our strengths too.

“So we just have to make sure we play to our strength and get the result that we want.’’

ZIFA board member Piraishe Mabhena, who is the head of delegation on this mission, said they had also sought to make amends by motivating the players ahead of the games.

“We really could have done better to prepare this team and we should have arranged an international friendly or two.

“But we have also tried our best to motivate them financially and ensure that they are paid on time in terms of their allowances and appearances fees.

“I must say I am also impressed by the discipline of the team and yes they lost to Zambia but they are fighters and they have the capacity to fight back in this group,’’ Mabhena said.

The outgoing Eastern Region chairman also paid tribute to the Zimbabweans resident in DRC and those that have travelled from home, including their cheerleader Chris “Romario’’ Musekiwa, who flew into Rwanda yesterday, for backing the team.

“Obviously such countries like Uganda who share the border with Rwanda will have the numbers but I am happy with the efforts that has been made by Zimbabweans, including those who are in DRC who came for the first match, and have pledged to mobilise even more supporters,’’ Mabhena said.

Rubavu is just two kilometres from Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo.