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Zimbabwe/Namibia: Warriors Date Namibia
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Zimbabwe Standard (Harare)
3 May 2008
Posted to the web 5 May 2008
Leslie Nunu
Brazilian José Claudine Georgini will guide the Warriors in their first competitive match since he took over the top job early this year, when they seek glory in the second-tier, African Nations Championships against Namibia at Gwanzura Stadium this afternoon.
The tournament, mooted last year, is strictly for locally based players and will give both teams a chance to build squads for the forthcoming 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
Georgini, also known as Valinhos, has led the Warriors in two friendly encounters so far, with mixed fortunes.
In his maiden match in charge, the Warriors -- drawn from the domestic league and South Africa 's Premiership -- were beaten by 2-1 Bafana Bafana.
Highlanders' sensation, Cuthbert Malajila, ensured Valinhos' first win in the second international friendly away to Botswana last month, in a dull encounter.
The Warriors did not have the best of preparations going into the Namibia clash, after the team was forced to break camp to allow for midweek CBZ Premiership matches.
The bulk of the players come from Caps United, Highlanders, Kiglon and Dynamos who were the most active during the week.
Brenna Msiska, one of Valinhos' assistants, said they were taking the fixture seriously, warning Namibia were fast emerging as a force to reckon with in the region.
But he said the Warriors were looking beyond the Brave Warriors, with a berth in the next stage of the competition almost guaranteed.
"I don't think we will have any problems against Namibia and therefore we are looking at nothing short of victory," Msiska said.
On paper, the Warriors look a potentially formidable outfit, with perennial Confederation of Southern African Football Association (COSAFA) campaigners such as Zephaniah Ngodzo, Gilbert Banda, Clemence Matawu, Method Mwanjali, Justice Majabvi and David Kutyauripo forming the core of the squad.
There is also emerging talent in Malajila, Edward Sadomba and Admire Dzukamanja who are expected to form a lethal combination upfront.
Zimbabwe are also in the same group with Namibia, alongside Guinea and Kenya in the World Cup -- to be held in South Africa -- and Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for Angola in 2010.
The Brave Warriors started their preparations for this encounter last Sunday under the watchful eye of their new coach Arie Schans from the Netherlands.
Schans coach called up several new faces in the squad, the likes of goalkeeper Esau Tjiouro and the duo of Arend von Stryk and Edward Damaseb, who are both strikers, after good performances for their clubs.
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Meanwhile, in the other Southern Zone matches, Mozambique take on Angola with Botswana facing Zambia, while South Africa are through to the next round following the withdrawal of Mauritius.
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