Warriors ready to hunt Leopards under the lights

If ever there was a reason to emotional about a football game, then Zimbabweans are about to be exposed to one.

The country’s senior men’s national soccer team —the Warriors, will play in front fans at the National Sports Stadium for the first time since November 2019, when they host the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a AFCON 2027 qualifiers Group E encounter, this evening.

The goalless draw between the Warriors and Botswana in a AFCON 2021 Group H qualifier on November 15, 2019 was the last time fans watched the team at the National Sports Stadium. 

All other matches played at giant facility after the Botswana game in 2019 and before the facility was condemned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), were played with no fans in attendance, due to Covid 19 restrictions.

The last Warriors game at the iconic venue was the 2022 World Cup qualifiers Group G encounter against Ethiopia, which ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

Kuda Mahachi drew first blood for Zimbabwe in the 39th minute, before Abubeker Nasir restored parity with four minutes of regulation time left to play.

Since then, the Warriors have played home matches in Rwanda, Uganda, and South Africa.

But finally, the they are back home, with an excited yet emotional football-loving nation awaiting.

Ramon Catala’s charges ought to be oozing with confidence ahead of the eagerly-anticipated clash, having come from behind to beat Sierra Leone 3-2 in Casablanca, Morocco, on Thursday.

Scotland-based Warriors forward Tawanda Maswanhise during the team’s last training session at the match venue, yesterday. Picture by Fanzone

The victory was historic for the Spaniard. He became the first Warriors coach since Clemens Westerhof 27 years ago, to win his first game in charge of the team.

It was also the first time Zimbabwe won a game having been two goals down.

Catala though, is not reading much into what happened last week, insisting that it’s now in the past and focus should be on the DRC game, which he wants to win as well.

“It’s going to be a very difficult match. Also, we respect Congo as an opponent but our goal will be winning and collecting three more points,” Catala told journalists yesterday.

The Spaniard insists having fans at the stadium will not add any kind of pressure but will instead motivate his troops even more.

“Having fans at the stadium will not add any pressure on us. It will actually motivate us to play better so that we give them a good game and a good result,” said Catala.

Captain Marvellous Nakamba echoed Catala’s words, saying it’s an important game in which they give their all for the country.

The Warriors going through their paces at the National Sports Stadium last night. Picture by Fanzone

“We want to believe in ourselves and give every everything for the country which we are proud of,” said Nakamba.

“We want the fans to come in their numbers and rally behind the team. Whatever happens, it’s a game of football, it’s 90 minutes, we promise the fans we will give everything and we will fight for the county,” he added.

Kick off is 18:00. 

RELATED STORY: Warriors’ homecoming ignites nation as 12th man readies self to roar against DRC