Gorowa to make changes

Sport
THE WARRIORS technical team hinted at changes in the team to face Zambia in the second leg of the African Nations Championships final qualifier in Ndola

THE WARRIORS technical team has hinted at changes in the team to face Zambia in the second leg of the African Nations Championships (Chan) final qualifier in Ndola after the addition of Kuda Mahachi and Bruce Kangwa to the squad preparing for the crucial away match.

KEVIN MAPASURE SENIOR SPORTS REPORTER

The Warriors will be looking for at least a scoring draw after both teams drew blanks in the first leg at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday. The team was back at training yesterday morning at Gwanzura Stadium as the technical department searches for solutions for the goal-shy strike force.

Assistant coach Jairos Tapera said that the team had played well in the first match, but failed in front of goal. “The team played well in the first leg. Unfortunately we couldn’t convert the chances we created,” Tapera said. “We are hoping that Zambia will play (and falter) under home pressure like we did here on Sunday. I think it’s going to be another open game like it was on Sunday and I think the first team to score will scrap through.

“We didn’t have any problems except the finishing, but since we will be playing away from home there should be a certain tactical approach. We might introduce other guys to add power.”

Kangwa had been included in the squad to prepare for the first match, but late communication saw him miss out. This time he is in the squad and will be looking to wrest the left full-back position from Triangle’s Blessing Chimwamuchere. Chicken Inn’s Mahachi will be looking to make an impression and win a ticket to Zambia.

Harare City’s Silas Songani, Dynamos’ utility player Oscar Machapa as well as goalkeeper George Chigova were back at training after they failed to make the squad for the first leg.

Captain Masimba Mambare, who struggled for fluency on Sunday, said the team would try to get the elusive goals as a collective force and would not leave the responsibility to strikers only.

“We failed to get the goals, but that we managed a draw is a (good) starting point,” Mambare said. “We should remember that in the last two matches (before last Sunday) we played them (Zambia) we lost both matches. After the draw on Sunday, we have laid a platform for another positive result. We want to go there to play as a team and search for the goals as a unit. It’s not the strikers’ responsibility alone.”

Chicken Inn’s Tendai Ndoro and FC Platinum’s Nelson Maziwisa started upfront on Sunday, while Caps’ Dominic Chungwa was introduced later. Coach Ian Gorowa led the training session yesterday where players — who played on Sunday — had a light workout. The session was centred on chance conversion and Tapera said they would continue to work on that hoping to upstage Chipolopolo in their own backyard.

The Warriors hope they can perform better away from the pressures of an expectant and impatient home crowd.