Noel Munzabwa
WARRIORSa�� 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers 3-0 winning performance against Liberia at the National Sports Stadium last Sunday has touched a Swazi heart, who has since obliged with heaps of praise especially on captain Knowledge Musona.
Comfort Jele, a soccer analyst and blogger, urged Zimbabweans to rally behind the team throughout the qualifiers for qualification to the finals to be held in Cameroon to be achieved.
a�?We have our Sabelo Ndzinisa and the Warriors have their own talisman, Knowledge Musona and that hat-trick confirms the pedigree in that Warriors squad and with full support and not divisive tendencies the team will go far.
a�?As Zimbabwea��s Warriors entered the field of play for the titanic 2019 Afcon Qualifiers encounter against Liberia at National Sports Stadium on Sunday afternoon, I was made to believe that every Zimbabwean who genuinely loves this country was praying for a positive result.
a�?Under Caretaker Coach, Norman Mapeza, the Warriors put up a good performance although they missed a host of scoring opportunities. Inspired by the eccentric skipper Knowledge Musona, the home side gave the Liberians a run for their money as they attacked them relentlessly only to be let down by poor finishing.
He said the absence of dropped Willard Katsande and injured Khama Billiat were hardly felt as those on duty gave their all in this tie.
a�?Without the dropped Willard Katsande and the injured Khama Billiat, the likes of (Partson) Jaure and (Marvelous) Nakamba were able to cover every blade of grass in the belly of the park a�� obviously where battles are won or lost.
a�?Putting up Tendai Ndoro as a top man seemed to be a gamble for coach Mapeza but it proved to be a good move as Musona and (Kudakwashe) Mahachi were able to play the ball coming from the wings.
Jele said the Warriors didna��t need to raise a sweat to walk away with the three points.
a�?Zimbabwe didna��t have to engage the next gear to put their opponents to the sword as, despite missing too many chances, especially in the first half, Musona stood up and like a true leader, he grabbed the hat-trick, albeit in a spectacular fashion.
a�?Except for the few chances, including the howler by (Teenage) Hadebe in the first half, the Liberians struggled to match the Zimbabweans pound for pound. The fact that they committed a lot of fouls in their own half was a testimony that the Liberians were struggling to contain the Warriors who were threatening when going forward.
a�?Defensively I feel that Zimbabwe is not that combative enough and they could be exposed by attack-minded opponents. Otherwise the whole Warriors team played with cohesion and understanding, while Musona was outstanding. He is pure quality. He works, he inspires and he scores.
a�?Thata��s Musona, the new Warriors captain. Even the other Warriors players know his capabilities, they would locate him with those long range passes and he would rarely disappoint. The win against Liberia surely gives the Warriors the confidence as they embark on yet another campaign to reach the Afcon finals, and consistency, NOT complacency, will work wonders for them,a�? said Jele.
@NoelMunzabwa .
