ZIMBABWE get their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2015 qualifiers preparations underway this afternoon when they play Malawi in an international friendly match at the Kamuzu Stadium with coach Ian Gorowa eager to find a team that will take the Warriors to the bi-annual tournament.
WELLINGTON TONI SPORTS EDITOR
Having missed out on the last editions in 2010, 2012 and 2013, the Warriors are ranked 32 in the qualifying system released by the Confederation of African Football last month and will start their Afcon 2015 qualifiers in the second round in May.
The second round, first legs will be played on the weekend of May 16-18 and the return on May 30 June 1. The Warriors can play, among other countries, Botswana, Swaziland, Libya, Uganda, Mozambique, Congo and Benin.
Fourteen teams will make it to the third round where they will engage in two-legged contests on July 18-20 and August 1-3 to leave seven teams.
These seven teams will join the top-seeded 21, who include reigning champions Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Zambia, Angola, Egypt, South Africa and Cameroon to take part in the group phases.
There will be 14 winners; the third best-placed team and the hosts Morocco for next year finals that will be staged in the cities of Tangier, Agadir, Rabat and Marrakech from January 17 to February 7. The group phases will be played on these dates: September 5-6 and 10, October 10-11 and 15, November 14-15 and 19.
Apart from the African Nations Championships stars, Gorowa has called up the Kaizer Chiefs hitmen Knowledge Musona and Kingston Nkhatha, and defensive midfielder Willard Katsande.
