RAINS prevailed yesterday to dash both Zimbabwe and Kenya’s plans for training ahead of their Group J Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Polokwane on Friday.
The Warriors attempted training session yesterday morning, but the pitch was waterlogged and they could hardly put together a meaningful session.
They were scheduled for a video analysis in the evening as the technical team ran around to find a stadium with good drainage.
After bucketing for most of the day yesterday, more rains are expected today but both teams are hoping to do some work on the pitch.
All players called into camp bar Tino Kadewere were in Polokwane by yesterday to prepare for the big clash.
Vice captain Marshall Munetsi, based in France, Teenage Hadebe from the USA, Munashe Garan'anga, who plays club football in Denmark, as well as Gerald Takwara all arrived yesterday to complete the full complement of the squad.
The Warriors now have only today and tomorrow to prepare for this contest.
Garan'anga was declared fit following fears that the Denmark-based star would be sidelined for the two matches after he missed his club Copenhagen's weekend game.
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The lanky defender who has just returned from a long-term injury, which forced him out of the Warriors' back-to- back matches against Namibia last month, was not even in the matchday squad as Copenhagen forced a share of points in a 1-1 draw away at log leaders AGF in the top-of-the-table clash on Sunday.
Prior to that, the former Prince Edward student had either played or been included in the matchday squad in the previous five matches, including UEFA Conference League games against Real Betis and Istanbul Basaksehir.
The first batch of the Warriors squad, made up of the locally based players and their technical team, arrived in South Africa on Sunday.
England and South Africa-based players plus Khama Billiat were all received in Polokwane on Monday.
Nees' men are second in Group J with eight points and only need to garner a point against Kenya to secure their ticket to the finals set for Morocco next year.
Should they falter against the Harambee Stars, the Warriors will have to beat group leaders and already qualified Cameroon to make sure of progress.
Kenya have four points and need a perfect record in their final two matches against Zimbabwe and Namibia to clinch their ticket to the finals.
Cameroon are on 10 points while Namibia have zero and are out of the race.
Warriors squad
Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford), Martin Mapisa (Dynamos)
Defenders: Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns), Gerald Takwara (Al Minaa SC), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Godknows Murwira (Caps United), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati), Jordan Zemura (Udinese).
Midfielders: Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town), Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims), Andy Rinomhota (Cardiff City), Richard Hachiro (Ngezi Platinum)
Forwards: Khama Billiat (Yadah FC), Tymon Machope (Simba Bhora), Prince Dube (Young Africans), Terrence Dzvukamanja (Supersport United), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants), Walter Musona (Simba Bhora), Douglas Mapfumo (Polokwane City).
