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NewsDay

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Dinha rallies Warriors

Sport
Former Caps United utility player Edelbert Dinha believes the current Warriors squad has enough depth to reach the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals that will be staged in South Africa early next year. The Warriors face Angola in two matches in September (home) and October (away) for the ticket to only their third […]

Former Caps United utility player Edelbert Dinha believes the current Warriors squad has enough depth to reach the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals that will be staged in South Africa early next year.

The Warriors face Angola in two matches in September (home) and October (away) for the ticket to only their third appearance in the continental finals.

Dinha, now based in South Africa and a former Orlando Pirates player, said what the players need is self-belief.

“The players need self-belief only. They need to believe they can do it. They must not get excited, otherwise they will lose the entire plot,” he told NewsDay Sport at the weekend.

He was in the company of former Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari and national team left-back Harlington Shereni.

Mwaruwari, who has played in South Africa, France and England, is training with National First Division side Jomo Cosmos with the hope of signing a contract before the closure of the transfer window on August 31.

Dinha is involved in player management and has been impressed by Hwange and Warriors striker Rodwell Chinyengetere, who made his debut in the 1-0 win over Burundi at the National Sports Stadium on June 17. It was the win that set up the Angola clash after a draw conducted earlier this month.

“I have seen him in action and I think he is a good player. So, when the Warriors play Angola, he is one of the players who must have that self-belief. I have no doubt the current crop of players have what it takes to beat Angola,” he said.

Warriors coach Rahman Gumbo named his team last week, including top striker Knowledge Musona and Romania-based Mike Temwanjira.

Chinyengetere is one of the locally-based strikers with Shabanie Mine hitman Nelson Mazivisa, who has 13 goals in the current Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

Gumbo has dropped Ovidy Karuru, who plays for French third division side US Bolougne and recalled Quincy Antipas, who is based in Germany.

Dynamos’ Denver Mukamba and former teammate Archford Gutu are the other two midfield gems in the squad.

The team is anchored by Afcon final veteran goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini and veteran defenders Esrom Nyandoro and Tinashe Nengomasha. Vusa Nyoni and Onismor Bhasera are still anticipating their first appearances in the Afcon finals. Willard Katsande, red-carded in the Burundi match, is serving a two-match suspension and will only be available next year if the Warriors qualify.

The Warriors go into camp on September 3 and already have financial support from Mbada Diamonds Holdings, who will take care of the players’ camping allowances, appearance fees and winning bonuses.

The only problem has been accommodation. In June, Zifa needed its president Cuthbert Dube to mortgage one of his properties in order to secure accommodation at Pandhari Lodge.

The total bill which was $90 000 for the three matches against Guinea, Mozambique and Burundi, was eventually settled by the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture.

Angola have not been perfoming so well in the last few years after they reached dizzy heights in getting to the World Cup in 2006 in Germany, despite heavy financial support from the government. The Warriors will fancy their chances.