WARRIORS vice-captain Marshall Munetsi says they have to quickly adapt to coach Michael Nees’ philosophy as they aim to get their 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign off to a positive start.
Zimbabwe are in action tomorrow as they face Kenya before they face Cameroon four days later.
Both games will be played at the Mandela National Stadium in Uganda as Kenya and Zimbabwe do not have CAF-certified stadia to host international matches.
The two matches will be coach Nees’ first assignments and Munetsi says they are “buying in” to the philosophy of the new coach.
“Unfortunately we have had a few injuries and some guys did not manage to come but we are working hard to make sure we start our campaign well. Kenya is not an easy team to face but we know what we need to do. We are just trying to listen to our coach as he is new.
“We are trying to learn from him as soon as possible. We are starting to see his ideas because we started to talk before we came so we know what he expects. I think the guys are starting to gear up, most of us have been playing together for some time so I think it’s a system but in football everything always depends on the results,” said Munetsi.
Khama Billiat, who is making a return to international football, also spoke highly of Nees who convinced him to reconsider his decision to retire.
“It has been a good time with the team. The coach is fantastic, we understand everything that he is saying and he has lots of experience behind him that is going to benefit us,” said Billiat.
Ahead of tomorrow’s clash, both Zimbabwe and Kenya have some injury concerns. The
Warriors have striker Tino Kadewere and defender Brandon Galloway ruled out for the tie. As a result, Manica Diamonds’ defender Farai Banda has been added to the initial Warriors squad.
For Kenya, Skipper Michael Olunga and Serbia-based defender Collins Sichenje are reported to be doubtful for Kenya’s matches against Zimbabwe and Namibia, while goalkeeper Ian Otieno was also dropped from the squad that will face the Warriors.
Zimbabwe and Kenya have met four times since 2008 and the Warriors have never won against the East Africans.
Their recent meeting was in July at the COSAFA Cup in South Africa, where the Harambe Stars triumphed 2-0.
Before that, the two nations clashed in a friendly match in Malawi in March, with Kenya prevailing 3-1.
The Warriors also failed to beat Kenya in back-to-back World Cup qualifiers in 2008.
Kenya beat Zimbabwe 2-0 in Nairobi on June 14, 2008 before holding the Warriors to a goalless draw at Rufaro Stadium a week later.
The battle at the Mandela National Stadium on Friday could prove tricky for the Warriors.
After the two matches against Kenya and Cameroon, Zimbabwe will be away to Namibia on October 7 before hosting the Brave Warriors on October 15 at a venue to be announced.
Warriors squad:
Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi, Marley Tavaziva, Donovan Bernard
Defenders: Gerald Takwara, Munashe Garananga, Andrew Mbeba, Godknows Murwira, Emmanuel Jalai, Teenage Hadebe, Farai Banda.
Midfielders: Marshall Munetsi, Andy Rinomhota, Jordan Zemura, Walter Musona, Daniel Msendami, Brian Banda, Tawanda Maswanhise, Tawanda Chirewa, Richard Hachiro, Khama Billiat.
Strikers: Douglas Mapfumo, Prince Dube, Obriel Chirinda
