Mambare wants Chan success
Lazarus Sauti
The journey to the 2014
edition of the African Nations Championship (Chan) started in Mauritius at the
George V Stadium in Curepipe.
Zimbabwe Warriors piped
the host 3 nil.
Two weeks after the
convincing victory, the Warriors performed dismally in their one-all draw against Mauritius at Rufaro Stadium
in Harare.
True to the adage, no elder brother is expected to beat his chest proudly
after overcoming his young brother in a wrestling contest; supporters believed that
beating Mauritius is nothing to gloat about for coach Ian Gorowa and his
players.
Supporters were disappointed that the Warriors could only manage a draw
against the islanders having beaten the same team 3-0 in the first leg.
After that
disappointing game, the Warriors targeted regional powerhouse Zambia. Basing on
history, fans expected Chipolopolo to massacre the Warriors.
The Warriors played a
disappointing nil-all draw against Zambia at Rufaro Stadium in Harare but
turned the tables in Lusaka to book their successive finals.
The vintage performance
by the Warriors in Lusaka triggered emotions and raised hope for Warriors star
midfielder and captain Masimba Mambare that the Warriors can lift the Chan
trophy.
Accordingly, Mambare is
hoping for a good 2014 Chan outing in South Africa and he hailed the bravery of
his teammates after their Chan qualification.
He said: “During the
qualifiers, we performed badly at home due to different reasons but I want to
hail my teammates for playing well away from home. Because of this
never-die-spirit, we are going to work hard to put smiles on the faces of
Zimbabweans.”
Mambare also said the
current Warriors team is capable of lifting the Chan trophy early next year.
“I am confident that if
we work hard, the team can lift the Chan trophy because we have players who are
fueled by passion.
“The players have big
team spirit; they enjoy each others’ company and know how to support each other
on the pitch,” said Mambare.
Mambare said the team
is safe hands and this is another reason why fans should expect success.
“We have the right
technical team and with proper planning, we are going to be successful in South
Africa,” he added.
The Warriors captain
added, “If we want to win the trophy, we must first beat Morocco, Burkina Faso
and Uganda.”
Agreeing with his
captain, coach Ian Gorowa believes that with proper preparations, his charges
are going to be the champions at Chan.
Gorowa also hailed the
spirit of his team.
“I am particularly
happy for this group of players, people doubted that they could make it, but I
always had belief in them and they have showed that they can play football.
“They are a good bunch
of players to work with. They work hard and are always focused so I always knew
that they could deliver something special,” Gorowa said.
Mambare urged
stakeholders to support the national team.
He said: “Success in
football in based on support. Thus, stakeholders should play their part to
ensure that we reach our objective of bringing the Chan trophy home.”
The warriors are in
Group B and they will face Morocco, Burkina Faso and Uganda.
The 2014 African Nations Championship will run from 11 January to 1
February in four cities, Bloemfontein, Polokwane, Kimberly and Cape Town, where
the opening game and final will be staged.
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