Well, this is it.
If the Warriors fail to win against the visiting Malians, then they can basically kiss their 2012 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals hope a grand goodbye.
The two teams engage at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow with the hosts knowing very well that anything short of all the three points will be unacceptable.
The Norman Mapeza-coached side need to win the match to take charge of their seemingly faltering campaign whose finals will be co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Having started the campaign with two draws against Liberia and Cape Verde, the Warriors lost their third match in Bamako and currently lie in third position in Group A with two points against six and seven for Mali and Cape Verde respectively.
Liberia anchor the log with a single point.
Mapeza admitted Sunday’s match against the team that defeated them 1-0 in March is tricky but said his team cannot just afford to lose this one.
“The fact of the matter is that it’s not going to be easy on Sunday (tomorrow) but we have done our part in terms of preparing for the match. So far so good, all the players that were struggling with knocks are OK and they have been adapting very well. We have to win the match at all costs so our training has been more focussed on the offensive side. The only way we can win the match is by scoring goals,” said Mapeza.
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“We need maximum support from the supporters; we need to use the home advantage and the only way that we can do that is when the supporters are giving us the moral push.”
The Warriors held a training session in the morning yesterday before they were given a rest in the afternoon but from the morning workout, it seems Mapeza will naturally go for the offensive.
Sudan-based speedster Edward Sadomba is set to lead the frontline while the equally dangerous Knowledge Musona will be attacking from deep.
The slippery Karma Billiart is expected to do damage on the right wing and the France-based Ovidy Karuru is set to cause havoc on the other wing.
Central midfield promises to be the key battle ground. The king of the interception and short pass, Tinashe Nengomasha who also boasts of occasional exquisite long range passes is likely to be given the anchor role.
Experienced and with unstinting concentration, “The General” is made for this sort of demanding role.
Mapeza might opt for Justice Majabvi in the creating midfielders’ role. The “Chief Justice’s” instinct, verve, and ability to burst forward in search for a glimpse of goals could come in handy for the team.
At centre-back, the well balanced pairing of the steely Thomas Sweswe and captain Method Mwanjali will provide cover for the goalkeeper, with Tapuwa Kapini seemingly leading the race for that position.
Vusa Nyoni and the galloping Gilbert Mapemba are likely to play in the left and right side of defence. The final 18 — expected to battle the Malians who will be missing five of their regulars — will be announced today. However, Mapeza said he will not read much into the crisis that has hit the Eagles’ nest.
“We are not really concerned with what is happening in the opposition camp, if we do that we will lose focus. I’m concentrating on my team and to see the best possible way we can win the match,” said Mapeza.
Warriors probable first XI T Kapini, G Mapemba, V Nyoni, T Sweswe, M Mwanjali, T Nengomasha, J Majabvi, K Billiart, O Karuru, K Musona, E Sadomba
