WARRIORS captain Masimba Mambare believes the underdog tag worked in their favour when they upstaged their more illustrious opponents, Zambia, in their own backyard at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Saturday to claim a place at the African Nations Championships (Chan) finals next year.
KEVIN MAPASURE RECENTLY IN NDOLA, ZAMBIA
After a disappointing nil-all draw at Rufaro Stadium in the first leg, few had given the Warriors a chance of going through, let alone winning the second leg.
But a 63rd minute strike by FC Platinum attacker Charles Sibanda and a gritty performance by Devon Chafa and Danny Phiri at the base of the defence as well as the defensive quartet of Hardlife Zvirekwi, Patson Jaure, Eric Chipeta and Milton Ncube ensured passage to South Africa in January.
Mambare, excluded from the starting line-up, heaped praise on the technical team for the tactical decisions they made.
“After the draw at home very few people thought we could make it,” said Mambare. “But even after the draw at home, I retained confidence and belief that we could still leave Zambia with a positive result. The good thing is that everyone in the team was confident and we approached this game with a positive mind and we got what we wanted.”
Mambare said that the team was spurred on to prove their doubters wrong and the underdog tag eased off pressure.
“I think the underdogs tag worked in our favour. Zambia was very confident, they were actually looking beyond us, but we were focused and went about our preparations quietly. Nobody gave us a chance and that gave us extra motivation.” Mambare said he was not surprised when he was named as one of the substitutes because the coaches had communicated that they would employ new tactics.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“We had discussed it at training, we knew that they would play around with the squad and positions, everyone was supportive of their ideas and we are all happy that it worked well for us. We surprised Zambia a bit because they did not expect something different. The plan was to make sure that we shut the doors at the back and make sure that we did not concede and then use the speedy strikers, Sibanda and Nelson Mazivisa.”
With Zimbabwe coach Ian Gorowa employing a two-men defensive midfield, Zambia wonder-boy Bruce Musakanya, who mesmerised fans at Rufaro in the first leg, was stifled.
Zambia enjoyed the possession, but struggled to get into the final third and goalkeeper George Chigova made few crucial saves. Mambare said everyone was excited that they had qualified, adding that they would continue to work hard, now that the fans expect even more.
“It’s a wonderful feeling that we have qualified. We have been working hard and God has rewarded us. Now we have to stay focused and continue working hard so that we are a better team come January.”
