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Partson Jaure

Ishemunyoro Chingwere in CAPE TOWN, South Africa
WARRIORS skipper Partson Jaure says his troops have put behind them the success they recorded in the group stages of the ongoing Chan tournament and are now gunning for Mali on their way to the final.
The Warriors qualified for their first ever quarter-finals of a continental tournament with a deserved 1-0 win over Burkina Faso on Monday which had been preceded by two goalless draws against Morocco and Uganda, having previously failed four times — both twice at Afcon and Chan level.

But this has not quenched the team’s quest for further conquest with skipper Jaure, who has achieved what could not be achieved by the legendary Peter Ndlovu and the revered Benjani Mwaruwari in 2004 and 2006 respectively — albeit in a lesser contest, saying his fellow troops have put in so much effort in training and would not be pushed out of this Chan tournament easily.

So impressive have been the Warriors that they are the only team, pending the finalisation of Group D fixtures late yesterday, to finish all their three group fixtures without conceding a single goal, a fit which could not be achieved by continental giants among them Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco and Mali.

With the towering Eric Chipeta also at the heart of defence, the impressive duo of Hardlife Zvirekwi and Milton Ncube and the underrated but very influential Danny “Deco” Phiri, the Warriors rearguard has erected an impassable barrier for gangly keeper George Chigova and it is largely due to their uncompromising display at the back that they are still in the tournament.

The 23-year-old captain said before departure they would train four times a day and coach Ian Gorowa, who feared the lack of league action would affect his players’ physical condition, was so hard on them and the fruits were now manifesting.

“During our camp back home we would train four times a day in the gym as well on the pitch. It was so challenging and unprecedented but we kept on working hard and it is when we vowed amongst ourselves that we will not settle for anything other than the trophy itself.

“That resolve still remains among the players and obviously in the rest of the team and we will not be pouring plaudits on qualifying for the quarter-finals deter us from our primary goal.

“But amidst all the plaudits we want to dedicate our run of form and qualification to God because without his grace we would not have achieved anything,” Jaure said.

After the flashing out of hosts Bafana Bafana and Mozambique in Group A and minnows Mauritania in Group D, the Warriors find themselves with the extra burden of hoisting the regional flag as they are the last men standing from Cosafa.

Encouragingly, the Gorowa-coached side is, however, not bulging at the level of expectation and Chigova, who is recovering well ahead of the Saturday showdown against the West Africans — ranked sixth on the continent against the Warriors’ 29th — reckons they have what it takes to storm into the semi-finals.

“Their group topping feat is obviously a sign that they are a not a bad side. We also had the opportunity to watch them against South Africa and I don’t think they are invincible at all.

“If we continue playing at the level we have been, I have no doubt that we will see them off,” said the big goalkeeper who has had his availability on the market inquired about by scouts here.

Chigova, who appeared to be signalling to be taken off in the win against Burkina Faso, said he, in fact, was asking for a strap bandage after coming worse off a clash with midfield hardman Danny Phiri. The Warriors were yesterday given a day’s rest and will today resume training and the team doctor is also expected to give a report on eight of the players who were complaining of knocks from the last game but are largely expected to recover in time for the Mali showdown.