The Sunday Mail
WARRIORS captain Willard Katsande says his first task in camp will be to call a players’ meeting.
“A lot has happened over the past few weeks and it’s important that we sit down as players and remind each other of why we will be in camp,” he said.
As the Warriors prepare to resume their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with back-to-back clashes against Swaziland, the 30-year-old Katsande knows how good Zimbabwe’s chances look.
Zimbabwe are joint Group L leaders with Sihlangu as the qualifying journey for Gabon 2017 reaches the halfway mark. Katsande makes no secret of his desire to emulate the heroics of former Warriors skippers Peter Ndlovu and Benjani Mwaruwari, who led the Warriors to the 2004 and 2006 Afcon editions respectively.
“I am super-motivated, super-motivated,” said Katsande.
“The prospect of following the great path that has been walked by legends such as Peter and Benjie, who have led the country to Afcon finals, really excites me.
“These are the guys everybody in our team grew up idolising and it will be an honour for us to emulate them.”
Katsande, however, concedes that the match-fixing allegations that have clouded the build-up to Zimbabwe’s tie with Swaziland adds some pressure on the Warriors.
“It’s disturbing without doubt and certainly something we could do without ahead of such a crucial game.
“However, I can assure the nation that the boys are very patriotic and will stop at nothing when it comes to defending the national flag.
“As captain I will constantly urge the players to stay focused on the job at hand and make our fans and the country proud with positive results.”
Reports suggest that 20-year-old first choice goalie Tatenda Mukuruva and the South Africa-based pair of Washington Arubi and Partson Jaure had been targeted by the match-fixing cartel.
However, their captain believes the trio has the capacity to ignore the drama and focus on the work at hand.
“They are experienced players and I don’t doubt their professionalism. The fact that the coaches have called them into camp is testimony of the character they all have,” said Katsande.
The Warriors skipper says beating Swaziland is a must.
“We are joint group leaders with them, so it’s important that we beat them and make life easier going forward. We are motivated by the fact that we have previously qualified for the finals and we would want a repeat.”
With Zifa doing their part to create a conducive environment, Katsande concedes the Warriors have little reason to fail.
“We really appreciate it when the administrators create an enabling environment and with that in place I think it’s fair to say the challenge is now for us to deliver on the field of play,” he said.
The Warriors’ opening fixture against Malawi was almost called off after the team refused to board the plane demanding that the football association pay them their allowances for previous assignments.
They later travelled to Blantyre by bus and arrived on the eve of a match they won 2-1 with goals coming from Cuthbert Malajila and Khama Billiat.
Kallisto Pasuwa’s men then went on to draw 1-all with Guinea in the second match of the campaign at Rufaro in Harare in September last year.
Knowledge Musona’s goal earned the point after the home side had fallen behind early in the game after a Washington Arubi howler between the sticks.
