FORMER Warriors goalkeeper and captain Tapuwa Kapini believes Al Ahly Benghazi striker Edward Sadomba can carry the day for Zimbabwe when they battle Tanzania in the crunch 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) football qualifier return leg at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER
Sadomba, according to Warriors manager Sharif Mussa, is still expected today from his base after flight complications. He has missed two days of training after playing in the Caf Champions League on Saturday. The Warriors are chasing a home win after losing 1-0 in the first leg played in Dar es Salaam a fortnight ago.
The AmaZulu skipper, who is in the country on a season’s break, says the presence of a player like Sadomba is an advantage to the Warriors.
“The changes that have been made by the coach can stabilise the team. We have players like Ovidy Karuru and Edward Sadomba who have been brought in. They have played for the national team so they have the experience. The youngsters can get guidance from senior players like Sadomba,” Kapini said .
“Sadomba is playing [well] in the Champions League [and] I think that it can help the Warriors although the match is not going to be easy.”
Sadomba netted yet another goal on Saturday for Benghazi, condemning Tunisian giants Esperance to their second straight defeat in the Caf Champions’ League Group B, his fifth Caf Champions League goal of the season.
Kapini said he was confident the Warriors would get a positive result.
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“Firstly, the Warriors have to believe that they can win. Without belief, they won’t win. They also have to trust and depend on each other. The team lost to Tanzania, but they should tell themselves they are going to play the second half on Sunday.
“They can score three goals, but they have to play their normal football. They should not be under pressure,” the former Highlanders goalkeeper said. Kapini also urged the players to follow the coach’s instructions.
“The players need to listen to the coaches. They cannot go and do what they want on the field. If the coach says mark from behind, they should do that. Fans should support the team and not whistle. They need to support the whole team, not individuals,” he said.
“I remember we once played Burundi in the Afcon qualifiers and we lost 2-1 away. When they came here, we beat them 1-0 at home. The players just need to be calm and not panic.”
Kapini says he has fully recovered from the injury that saw him miss the last games of the South African Premiership after picking an injury against eventual champions Mamelodi Sundowns in March.
“It is going to be very tough for me because I have not been the first-choice goalkeeper. I was injured in a match against Sundowns. I am going to work hard. If the opportunity for me to play for the Warriors comes, I will grab it with both hands,” he said.
