Zimbabwe’s national team captain, Knowledge Musona has stated that he is glad and delighted with his country’s ability to get an international friendly with the Super Eagles, as he says the game in Asaba on Saturday will help them prepare well for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, megasportsarena.com reports.
The Warriors are in Group A alongside Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and the host country, against who they will play the opening match on June 21 in Cairo, ahead of which the KSC Lokeren of Belgium attacker believes playing against the Super Eagles will put his side in the right frame of what to expect in The Land of The Pharaohs.
Musona added that Zimbabwe aim to put up a semblance of the heroics enacted by Ajax Amsterdam of Holland in this season’s UEFA Champions League, as The Warriors hope to create surprises at AFCON 2019.
Zimbabwe’s squad, coached by Sunday Chidzambwa, has only two goalkeepers, George Chigova and Edmore Sibanda, as well as five defenders: Tendayi Darikwa, Jimmy Dzingai, Divine Lunga, Teenage Hadebe and Alec Mudimu.
There are alkso seven midfielders: Marshall Munetsi, Marvellous Nakamba, Danny Phiri, Ovidy Karuru, Kuda Mahachi, Talent Chawapihwa and Khama Billiat, as well as four forwards: Musona, Nyasha Mushekwi, Tino Kadewere and Evans Rusike.
Despite the odds against them in their group, Musona added that The Warriors of Zimbabwe aim to get out of the opening round for the first time in their history, and get their best AFCON outing ever.
Although the team could only pick a single point from three matches last time out in Gabon two years ago, Musona told Reuters at the team’s pre-AFCON training camp in Durban, South Africa that they are capable of upsetting the apple cart and create a fairy tale run this time out.
He would gleefully point to the fact that they were top of their group in the AFCON 2019 qualifiers, during which DR Congo were among the lot they dominated, hence his view that The Warriors will also give a good account of themselves against Nigeria on Saturday, as they pick another opportunity to assess their readiness for the June 21 to July 19 contest.
Musona adds that one of the keys to their qualifying for back-to-back spots in the continental soccer showpiece is that many of their players have been together since featuring for the Zimbabwe’s under-17 side.
The attacker, who is on loan from RSC Anderlecht of Belgium to Lokeren, said Saturday’s game in Asaba will accord them another opportunity to test their development, then added he is confident of Zimbabwe pulling off progression in Egypt, despite being underdogs in Group A.
Musona added: “It will be a big test before the Nations Cup. Nigeria are one of the strongest teams in Africa and we are looking forward to it.
“It will be good for us to see if we are ready for the tournament. We are going there to fight and give disappointment to other teams.
“Zimbabwe are the only underdog in the group, but that in itself should give is motivation to say we are the Ajax Amsterdam of the Nations Cup.
“We have the hosts and favourites. DR Congo have a strong team and they know what to expect from us. Uganda are a very good team also.
“We have a good team with good quality, and we are working hard to correct the mistakes from the last tournament.
“We have enough experience and our initial target is to pass out from the group stages for the first time.
“I have played with almost everyone from under-17 through to the under-23s and into the senior team, so we know each other very well.
“(Striker) Khama Billiat and (goalkeeper) George Chigova come from the same academy as me, so we understand each other.
“This keeps us going and every time we tell ourselves to fight for each other on the pitch, we play as a team and not as individuals.”
