Nyandoro confident!

Zimbabwe Warriors Coach Charles Mhlauri says qualifying for the Nations Cup is not enough and is preparing for an upset against the giants of African football. The Warriors who were drawn in the toughest Group at the 2006 AFCON against the Super Eagles of Nigeria, World Cup bound Black Stars of Ghana and Senegal's Teranga Lions have already been dismissed before camp has even started. This group has effectively been dubbed the group of death and pundits have predicted a drubbing of the Warriors. Zimbabwe born BBC news reporter Farai Mungazi's verdit is that, "the Warriors do not have enough quality to make the second round and are destined to struggle against the gravitational pull of Group D. In other words, earliest possible flight home."

"Anyone that watched Zimbabwe play Cameroon, Egypt or Algeria two years ago without their most potent strikers Benjani, Shingi Kawondera and this new guy Joseph Ngwenya, in Tunisia will tell you how dangerous the Warriors can be." warned Gibson Homela a former Warriors manager.

"Inexperience and stage fright was a major factor for the Warriors in Tunisia. I guarantee you that will not be the case in Egypt. This will be the second time that Energy Murambadoro will guard goal, the second time that midfielders Esrom Nyandoro and Tinashe Nengomasha will patrol the midfield and I am sure they are hungry for success".

"So don't be fooled by anyone that Zimbabwe will be a push over. They have the ability to beat even Ghana and Senegal or force a draw against the Nigerians." added Homela

Zimbabwe managed to score three goals against Cameroon (5-3 loss), one goal against Egypt (2-1 loss) and two against Algeria (2-1 win) which was their only victory at the 2004 Nations Cup Finals. Scoring first in all their games.

After being exposed technically at the 2004 Nations Cup, Zimbabwe have come up with a unique set-up that will see Mhlauri assisted by Dutchman Dick de Boer, the first time that an African coach has had a European deputy.

This will not be by any means as Mungazi describes it to be a "West African affair".


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