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THE Zimbabwe Warriors arrived here to the horror of checking into a hotel without electricity and water yesterday ahead of the cagey 2012 Africa Nations Cup opener against Liberia today.
The new breed of Warriors were however buoyant ahead of the clash with the Lone Star at the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) sports complex with the caretaker coach Norman Mapeza unmoved by the dark hotel without water.
The Warriors and hundreds of fans aboard a chartered plane touched down at Robert International Airport at 4 am yesterday.
The players had no problem getting into the West African country but the fans had to endure about three hours awaiting visas to get into the former war ravaged country.
Mapeza and his troops checked into a hotel without water and electricity in downtown Monrovia, which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.
Ironically the hotel is just a stone throw away from 1995 Fifa Footballer of the Year, George Weah’s mansion, which he has since turned into the headquarters of his Congress for Democratic Change party offices.
Weah ran for presidency in 2005 and lost to incumbent Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. He is still a cult hero in this country and the Weah factor can be detected by the high enthusiasm in football here.
It's hot and humid summer here in Liberia and there were sporadic showers yesterday afternoon.
Despite being checked into a sub-standard hotel, Mapeza was not moved at all saying “we are used to it.”
“We heard there are better hotels than where we are staying but we are not complaining because we are used to this kind of treatment. There is no need to complain.
“All we wanted to have was a proper rest after a long journey. We are going to train this afternoon (yesterday) and ascertain which players are 100% fit. Clemence (Matawu) is now fully fit but there are questions over Quincy (Antipas). He has to pass a late fitness test,” said the former Dream team player.
Mapeza said his aim was to get a good result away from from home.
He said: “Our main objective is to go back home with a positive result.”
From the look of things Mapeza will certainly deploy Dynamos goalkeeper Washington Arubi in goal while the rearguard will consist of Thomas Sweswe, captain Method Mwanjali, Onismor Bhasera and Cyprus-based based Noel Kaseke.
Al Hilal striker Edward Sadomba and Knowledge Musona will lead the attack aided by Justice Majabvi, Tafadzwa Rusike, Matawu and Ashley Rambanapasi in the middle of the pack.
Meanwhile The Warriors staged a sit-in outside the Harare International Airport resulting in delay of departure to this country on Friday night.
They were rejecting $500 they had been offered by Zifa. They only boarded the plane after they were persuaded by Mapeza. It is not clear how much they will get if they win this crucial match
Possible line up:
W Arubi, M Mwanjali, T Sweswe, O Bhasera, N Kaseke, J Majabvi, A Rambanapasi, T Rusike, C Matawu, K Musona, E Sadomba.
The 11 Nations Cup groups
Group A : Cape Verde, Liberia, Mali, Zimbabwe
Group B : Ethiopia, Guinea, Madagascar, Nigeria
Group C : Comores, Libya, Mozambique, Zambia
Group D : Algeria, Central African Republic, Morrocco, Tanzania
Group E : Cameroon, Mauritius, DR Congo, Senegal
Group F : Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Namibia (3 teams)
Group G : South Africa, Egypt, Niger, Sierra Leone
Group H : Benin, Burundi, Ivory Coast, Rwanda
Group I : Congo, Ghana, Sudan, Swaziland
Group J : Angola, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Uganda
Group K : Botswana, Malawi, Chad, Togo, Tunisia (5 teams)
Yesterday'e Results
Uganda 3-0 Angola
Friday
Algeria 1-1 Tanzania
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