Harare — WARRIORS coach Sunday Chidzambwa wants his charges to continuously improve their performance and build on their recent success over Malawi when they begin their African Champi-onships of Nations campaign on Sunday.

Zimbabwe will begin their bid for a second successive appearance at the CHAN tournament with a first round, first leg date against Swazi-land at the Somhlolo National Stadium in Mba-bane.

The Warriors were part of the elite group that featured at the inaugural tournament in Cote d'Ivoire in February with the senior team managing three points from three draws in their group matches.

Zimbabwe finished third in their group after drawing with group winners Ghana, eventual tournament champions Democratic Republic of Congo and Libya.

On Sunday, they will start a fresh campaign for a place at the 2011 tournament in Sudan with a clash against a Swazi side that is battling to find its rhythm after a string of poor showings that have exerted pressure on their South African coach Ephraim "Shakes" Mashaba.

But Chidzambwa is not focussing on what the Sihlangu camp is doing and wants his Warriors to build on their 2-1 triumph over the Flames in an international friendly at Rufaro last Wednes-day.

Chidzambwa -- speaking as the Warriors stepped up their preparations with an afternoon session at Rufaro -- said although he was happy with his team's overall showing in their win over Malawi, he believes his team can continue to improve.

CAPS United winger Tafadzwa Rusike found what turned out to be the winner in the 25th minute as the Warriors rallied from behind to claim victory.

Malawi had stunned the Warriors when taking a 13th minute lead through striker Noel Mkanda-wire.

Rusike then helped bring the Warriors level when Flames defender Grey Nyirenda deflected the young forward's free-kick past his own keeper.

Despite the win, Chidzambwa was not amused by the Warriors sloppy defending which led to the Flames goal and another close effort by the visitors which was, however, ruled offside.

Chidzambwa said the Warriors could not afford to have some lax defending in any of their matches, including the CHAN qualifiers.

Both the veteran coach and national teams' general manager Sharrif Mussa expressed satisfaction with the commitment to training shown by the 22 players who regrouped on Monday and held their first training later that day.

"Training has been going on quite well since we came together again. We had a session yesterday afternoon (Monday) . . . we took them to the gym for an aerobics session this morning and in the afternoon we were back to ball work and a bit of physical training.

"We will continue to have two sessions until Thursday when we will have one session. We also hope that we will be able to have a workout late on Friday when we arrive in Swaziland.

"The idea is to have intense training and overload them while we are still here and slow things down a bit as we get towards match day," Chidzambwa said.

That intense training programme, Chidza-mbwa also said, would focus mainly on tightening all the loopholes, which the coach and his lieutenants -- Norman Mapeza, Joey Antipas and Brenna Msiska -- had noted in their assignment against the Flames.

Chidzambwa, however, expressed satisfaction with the general condition of his players despite the domestic game still being on the off-season break.

"Although we are still on off-season, most of the clubs started their pre-season training early and have been playing some friendly matches.

"If we judge by the Malawi game, I think we are almost there.

"Of course, we still need to tighten up at the back, the goal that we conceded against Malawi was silly and should have been avoided.

"We should not be conceding such goals at this level of the game, otherwise we will easily get punished," Chidzambwa said.

Barely had the two sides settled when the Flames caught the Warriors at sea when they launched a swift counter raid down the right flank and Chikaiko Bridge sent in a cross which Mkandawire met to shoot past big CAPS United goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda.

Chidzambwa believes such goals bring unnecessary pressure on a team, as they would force the Warriors to chase a game.

The Dynamos director of coaching also spoke about the need to retain possession if the Warriors are to secure a result that would help make life easier for them in the return leg on March 28.

"I was not happy with the way we were losing the ball against Malawi and that is an area we are also working on."

Although gritty DeMbare midfielder Ashley Rambanapasi had a fine afternoon, his efforts were not fully complemented by the pair of Thabani Kamusoko and Farai Vimisai who struggled with their game, forcing Kaizer Chiefs striker Knowledge Musona to constantly come deep to look for the ball.

Chidzambwa will also be hoping that CAPS United forward Nyasha Mushekwi will use this week's training to find his scoring touch.

Mushekwi formed a two-man attack with Musona that was tasked with fronting the Warriors raids, but the Premiership Golden Boot award winner did not fire on all cylinders against Malawi.

He was replaced by Cuthbert Malajila in the 50th minute.

Chidzambwa noted that his strikers also needed to be sharper in front of goal.

"At times in football you do not get a lot of clear chances, but we have to make use of the half chances that come our way. I felt we didn't put such chances away and just like all our weak areas, we are also polishing up on those aspects".

With Musona, who had a brilliant home debut for the Warriors ineligible, Mushekwi looks set to be trusted to partner Cuthbert Malajila in the attack for Sunday's game in Mbabane and much of the CHAN campaign.

The CHAN tournament is designed only for those players playing in their domestic leagues, which makes all foreign-based players ineligible.

But Chidzambwa had already done his homework for this year's CHAN campaign when he built his team around the Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup winning side, which was made up of home-based players.

The Warriors have lost such players like Mthulisi Maphosa, Chris Semakweri and Phillip Marufu who were part of the Cosafa winning side but are now plying their trade in the Democratic Republic of Congo with TP Mazembe and FC Lupopo respectively.

The coach can, however, call on the revitalised Lengthens talisman Richard Mteki, skipper Method Mwanjali, Daniel Veremu, Gilbert Mapemba, Soccer Star of the Year Ramson Zhuwawo, big 'keeper Sibanda and Rusike to form the core of the team that should deliver on Somhlolo's artificial turf.

Gunners' newboy Elvis Meleka, Artwell Nyamiwa and Ali Sadiki have also been knocking on the door for a regular run in the Warriors and provide Chidzambwa and his assistants with options.