FORMER Warriors players have urged all football stakeholders including government and Zifa to rally behind the national team and ensure adequate preparations for the 2017 Orange Caf Africa Nations Cup (Afcon) qualifiers.

BY FORTUNE MBELE

The Warriors, drawn into Group L, start their campaign against the Flames of Malawi in June in the group that also has Guinea and Swaziland.

Thirteen groups feature in the qualifiers with the winner in each and the two best second-placed teams making their way to join hosts Gabon in 2017.

Warriors legend Ephraim “Rock of Gibraltar” Chawanda, now based in Botswana, said adequate preparations for the qualifiers is key urging the Sports ministry, Zifa, the players, the coaches and all stakeholders to play their part.

“It is just like any other football tournament and any team can qualify. You cannot use past records as a form of yardstick. What is more important is how you prepare for the game regarding your opponents. Whoever is in charge must concentrate on preparation. Most of our downfalls have been due to failure to prepare. In the past, we have failed to give players and the technical team contracts.

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“This must be a holistic approach and the whole football fraternity, including the government and the ministry of sport should push forward in one direction. We have a very big chance of qualifying. It is a winnable draw,” Chawanda said.

Former striker Zenzo Moyo echoed the same sentiments adding that the experienced Warriors should not be left out as the Under-23 Young Warriors would not make it.

Zifa disbanded the Warriors in August last year after the resignation of coach Ian Gorowa, saying they would not put much emphasis on the development of junior national teams with a view of producing players to participate in major international tournaments.

“The draw is fair, but these young players do not have what it takes. They must be introduced gradually into the senior national team. But it is preparation that determines the result and I don’t have any problem with what government is saying about Zifa. People should be able to distinguish between intervention and interference.

“What the government is simple doing is intervening and not interfering. What we should start doing now in terms of preparations is to start playing friendly matches with team like Botswana, who are fast improving. It does not help us at all where we have a situation where we are preparing and you two, three or even six players in camp,” Moyo said.

Legendary Moses “Bambo” Chunga, another former Warriors player said chances for making it to Gabon are looking good.

“It is how you prepare yourself and it all goes down to planning. If you don’t prepare well you lose focus. Our chances are as good as everyone, but we have to look at ourselves in the mirror and if the image is not looking good then something is amiss.

“We have to stop this fighting especially the press and the mother body and work in cohesion. We should let bygones be bygones for the interests of football. Some of us have a lot of talent and knowledge in football which should be used and we are not growing any younger,” Chunga said.

Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda, another Warriors legend, said it’s not easy draw adding that the national should not ignore foreign-based players who are doing well especially in South Africa if Zimbabwe is to qualify.

“It is a tough draw, considering that we did not qualify for the last Afcon, but we need a lot of time to prepare and not three days before a match. The football elders should come up with a good plan. We have good players especially in South Africa where we have (Cuthbert) Malajila, who is scoring week-in week-out. We also have the likes of Khama (Billiat) and (Partson) Jaure who are doing well in South Africa. It will not be easy. All teams are improving and with the players we have we can make it. We just need to work extra hard,” Sibanda said.
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