Suspended Warriors coach Norman Mapeza and former Nigeria football international Idah “Pastor” Peterside are confident Zimbabwe will qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations ( Afcon) finals to be hosted by South Africa in January next year.
Report by Henry Mhara Zimbabwe beat Angola 3-1 in the final round, first leg qualifier at Rufaro Stadium last week and the two believe the decisive match in Luanda on October 12 would settle all issues comfortably for the Warriors.
Speaking during the launch of Supersport International’s historic coverage of local football after signing a deal with the Premier Soccer League to broadcast local matches on their station, Mapeza said the Warriors were 75% through.
“It will not be easy. It will definitely be tough in Angola, but I believe we can make it. We are 75% in, but I’m very worried about the goal we conceded here,” said Mapeza, who was the guest presenter on Supersport programme Soccer Africa that was broadcast from the National Sports Stadium VIP Lounge in Harare.
Speaking to NewsDay Sport on the sidelines of the glitzy launch, Peterside who is a football analyst at Supersport, said the Warriors’ ticket to qualify for the Afcon finals was theirs to lose.
“Zimbabwe is leading 3-1 and there is every possibility that they could qualify for the Nations Cup. All they need to do is just go there and don’t sit back and say we are leading 3-1. They should just go there and play their normal game, the same way they did here,” said the former Super Eagles goalkeeper.
He added: “Angola did not play too well. The goals just came and they were shocked. It will be different in Angola because they will be attacking but Zimbabwe are just one game away from the Nations Cup. Oh come on!
“You die for those 90 minutes. My advice to the Zimbabwe players is; give everything you have. You have waited all these years to qualify for the finals, give everything and you will qualify.”
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During the live broadcast, Mapeza and Peterside engaged in a tense debate that anchor Thomas Mlambo had difficulties to restrain. The former Warriors captain was already seeing ghosts and believed Zimbabwe’s hopes could be dampened by poor officiating synonymous with African football. Peterside thought otherwise.
“I have played in Africa and it’s a different world out there. We cannot run away from the fact that referees sometimes decide matches. Yes, they do,” thundered Mapeza.
And Peterson, in a humorous tone bellowed back: “That’s a wrong mentality to take to a match. Just believe that you can win and you will win. It’s as simple as that. The referees won’t take the ball and throw it into the nets with their hands. Angola scored away from home, so why can’t the Zimbabwe team score there. It’s possible that your team can win, but they should approach the game with a good mentality.”
