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NewsDay

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Kasinauyo believes Warriors can win

Sport
Former Warriors midfielder Edzai Kasinauyo believes the Warriors have a good chance of defeating 2006 World Cup finalists Angola and qualifying for the 2013 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) to be held in South Africa in January next year. The Warriors host Angola at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday in the final qualification round of the […]

Former Warriors midfielder Edzai Kasinauyo believes the Warriors have a good chance of defeating 2006 World Cup finalists Angola and qualifying for the 2013 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) to be held in South Africa in January next year.

The Warriors host Angola at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday in the final qualification round of the 2013 Afcon finals.

Angola are seasoned campaigners at the biennial soccer showcase having participated as hosts in the 2010 tourney, but Kasinauyo, now a player manager, said the Warriors – seeking only their third appearance – had equal chances against their more illustrious opponents.

“I strongly believe with this current squad that we have, qualification for the Nations Cup finals is possible. Angola are a very experienced side, but I think we have equal chances. I think it’s the hungrier team which will qualify.

“If the hunger is there, I don’t see us failing to beat Angola. In African football it is important to win at home because you are not guaranteed results away. In this case, players should be reminded they need to win this match at all costs because we are at home. They should stay focused,” said Kasinauyo.

The former Moroka Swallows midfielder said supporters played a key role in games of this magnitude.

“Supporters play a key role in games like this. They are the 12th man and we expect them to come in numbers to support the team,” he added.

Zifa, facing serious financial challenges, have hiked gate charges by 100% pegging them at $10 for the rest of ground for this match.

“I hope Zifa had done their home work because the increase in entry charges can work in favour of us or against us.

“Hopefully they did their home work. We need support from everyone for a game like this,” added Kasinauyo.

Zimbabwe made a maiden appearance at the Afcon in Tunisia in 2004 and then made it to the next edition in Egypt in 2006. But attempts to qualify for the last three editions have failed.

Held in even-numbered years since Ethiopia staged the 1968 finals, the finals switch to uneven-number years from next year when neighbours South Africa stages the games, to avoid every second tournament being staged in the same year as the World Cup.