ZIMBABWE national football team coach Michael Nees has warned that the Warriors face a tough task in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya tomorrow, but remains confident that they will get the result they crave.
The two teams clash on a crucial contest set for Peter Mokaba Stadium here in a 6pm kickoff, with Zimbabwe aiming to at least avoid defeat and clinch the last available ticket to the finals from Group J.
Kenya, on the other hand, can only stay alive by defeating Zimbabwe.
Today, the Warriors had a feel of the match venue for an hour before Kenya had their chance.
Nees said while he respects the opponent, he believes that his team has what it takes to achieve their goal.
“Everyone knows what is at stake. It’s an important game for Kenya. For us, it’s a very decisive game and it’s a very important game because we are in quite a good position,” he said.
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“But we know how football is like, you cannot predict results. You can plan on your performance and if it’s a good performance, a positive result is very likely.
“So far, our preparations were a little bit hampered by the rain, but not too much. We trained the day before yesterday and we trained yesterday [Wednesday].”
Added the German mentor: “We have quite some good conditions. Where we stay, the pitch took a lot of water but we could train. The team is in good spirits, confident, but not overconfident, but I think we can look positively to the game with respect to the opponent, but also with great belief in our own abilities.”
He said they had enough information about Kenya and would go into the battle knowing what to expect.
“We analysed Kenya in the first match and we re-evaluated for this match. They are a very good team no doubt, a very stubborn team,” Nees said.
“Maybe their confidence has been shaken by the two defeats to Cameroon, but nevertheless, I think in their starting line-up, they will have only two players who play in Kenya. They have players playing in Sweden, Qatar, Poland and so on.
“This is a team which has quality and has worked for a while with the coach, but we know what to expect. We played against them and we analysed them and it was a really interesting game.
“We have to focus on our task and not think about the other team, but to think about our own strengths.”
The Warriors gaffer said people should not underestimate the task at hand.
“When you want to achieve something, you have to work for it and not expect things to just happen. If we do that, we fall on our nose. We need to work and our target is first a good performance and then a positive result.”
He defended the decision to play this match in Polokwane as opposed to Orland Stadium in Johannesburg, where they played and won their last two matches against Namibia.
“Johannesburg was good, but the pitch was a little bit bumpy. Training was a bit difficult logistically, so coming in November, there will be a lot of thunderstorms. I lived there for five years. So looking at the facilities here, I think we made the right decision.”
Kenya have four points and need a perfect record in their final two matches against Zimbabwe and Namibia to qualify for the finals.
Cameroon are on 11 points at the top, while Namibia have one 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)