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NewsDay

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Another Mbada boost

Sport
Mbada Diamonds Holdings continued their romance with the Warriors last night when they shelled out another $75 000 ahead of Zimbabwe’s second 2014 World Cup football qualifier against Mozambique in Maputo. The donation comes five days after the same company bought a home and away kit and tracksuits for last Sunday’s match against Guinea, which […]

Mbada Diamonds Holdings continued their romance with the Warriors last night when they shelled out another $75 000 ahead of Zimbabwe’s second 2014 World Cup football qualifier against Mozambique in Maputo.

The donation comes five days after the same company bought a home and away kit and tracksuits for last Sunday’s match against Guinea, which the Warriors lost 1-0 despite a $50 000 winning bonus promise.

In addition to the winning bonus, Mbada paid $12 500 in appearance fees and $6 500 for camping allowances.

Mbada media liaison officer Tafadzwa Chiremba confirmed the continued sponsorship last night, saying $50 000 was still on offer as a winning bonus in Maputo.

Warriors midfielder Tinashe Nengomasha has appealed to football fans to restore belief in the team and give maximum support to the players in their latest bid for a World Cup finals berth.

The team is gearing up for their second Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier away to Mozambique, a week after a disappointing 0-1 home loss to Guinea in the same tournament. The Warriors need to win the match against the Black Mambas if they are to retain hope of progressing to the next stage of the qualifiers.

“This is an important game for us. It has suddenly become more crucial considering the result at the weekend,” said Nengomasha.

“We have to win this match and we are preparing to play to the best of our abilities, but the most important thing is that the fans should believe in us.

“This is a strong team and we know we should have got a better result on Sunday considering the numerous chances that came our way. But it is important that everyone supports all the players even those that didn’t do particularly well on Sunday.

“This is a long road and we know we had a false start, but this game is important for Zimbabwe so what we need is unity.”

While Nengomasha was a consistent functionary in his familiar midfield holding position, strikers Knowledge Musona and Takesure Chinyama were both guilty of missed opportunities with the latter wasting a hat-trick in the first half while the former twice failed to beat the goalkeeper having cleared the defenders.

On the other hand, Guinea made good use of a half chance when Ibrahima Traore placed a free-kick above the wall and beyond goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini.

Nengomasha reminded his teammates that defeat for Zimbabwe on Sunday would mean that they would complete a hat-trick of losses.

“As players, we must remember that if we lose on Sunday this would be the third straight defeat and I think we are a much better team than that. We cannot keep telling people that we are good, we have to show it and it is our responsibility as players to put things right in Mozambique. We know they are a good side, but this match is far too important for us to lose.”

Nengomasha said it was important for Zimbabwe to watch Mozambique’s match against Egypt so that they would know how to prepare for the weekend match.

“After Mozambique, our next match is a tough one against Egypt, of which we also have to win playing at home. If we get three points this Sunday, we will stay in touch with the group leaders and it will help psyche up the players for the Egypt game.

“We have to watch their matches and know what to expect, but what is important is for us to do what we have to do right.”

The Warriors leave for Mozambique tomorrow. All 32 players originally called into camp trained at the National Sports Stadium yesterday and it will be interesting to see if coach Rahman Gumbo decides on any changes to the 18-member squad.

Mozambique lost 2-0 to Egypt in their opening qualifier and their German coach Gert Engels has made it no secret that they have to beat the Warriors.

“I believe we played a good match. We lost because of a couple of defensive errors. I have to admit Egypt had better chances and they made good use of our mistakes. We had our chances, but couldn’t score. We’ll start preparing for the Zimbabwe game immediately. We have to get maximum points from our home games,” he told Cafonline after the loss in Alexandria.”