‘We can do it’

Sport
THE Warriors are still in with a chance of making the second round of the 2015 Orange Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers despite the narrow 0-1 loss to Tanzania in the first round, first leg at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.

THE Warriors are still in with a chance of making the second round of the 2015 Orange Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers despite the narrow 0-1 loss to Tanzania in the first round, first leg at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday. WELLINGTON TONI SPORTS EDITOR

The return leg will be played at the National Sports Stadium on June 1.

Coach Ian Gorowa was cautious ahead of the trip and knew the Taifa Stars’ type of play after the two teams drew 0-0 in a preparatory match ahead of the 2014 African Nations Championships (Chan) finals in South Africa.

The Daily News of Tanzania yesterday said: “In general, Zimbabwe looked the stronger, the superior team in the first half and deserved to level matters.”

This observation shows the Warriors fought a big battle in Dar es Salaam and need to escalate this in the return leg and get the levelling goal in the opening stanza.

The match was not on the Fifa calendar and this robbed Gorowa of the chance to have other stars like Costa Nhamoinesu, who plays in the Czech Republic and Edward Sadomba who turns for Al-Ahly Benghazi.

Knowledge Musona and Kingston Nkhatha are both injured. Musona suffered an ankle strain against AS Vita of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Caf Champions League on March 29 and when he did not respond to treatment, he was sent for another scan on April 22 where it was discovered there was an injury to the bone, effectively ruling him out for six weeks.

Nhamoinesu won the league and cup double this weekend after his side Sparta Prague clinched the Czech Republic Cup after beating rivals Viktoria Plzen from a penalty shoot-out on Saturday evening.

He did not play in Saturday’s match, but is expected to be fit for the last two matches of the season which ends on May 31. With Sparta having won already, the club might decide to release him for national team duty.

Goalscoring duties will remain with Tendai Ndoro, who had a goal ruled out for offside, Kuda Musharu, who dazzled for How Mine in the Caf Confederation Cup, Mamelodi Sundowns’ Kuda Mahachi and Cuthbert Malajila.

It is Gorowa’s wish to add Khama Billiat to this team for a bit of experience to the Chan heroes as this tournament is a notch higher that the January South African jamboree.

Even before the encounter, Tanzanian coach Mart Nooij, who has seen duty with Mozambique, spoke about experience in his own team.

“I believe the players forming this team have the quality experience to challenge at this level in Sunday’s match with the Warriors. It will not be strange to the most players in the team,” he was quoted saying.

Tanzania played two friendly matches against Malawi and Burundi which gave his charges better preparation and shape.

While Willard Katsande chose to stay away, claiming illness, two Tanzanian players Thomas Ulimwengu and Mbwana Samatta played for their club TP Mazembe in the Caf Champions League on Friday before flying to Dar es Salaam.

Now, Katsande, that’s what is called putting the nation first!

Ulimwengu provided the pass that John Bocco converted in the 13th minute to give the Taifa Stars, sponsored by Kilimanjaro Premium Lager, the win.