The Warriors need to perform a Houdini act and collect maximum points as they are currently in third position in the four-team Group A after raking two points in three outings. Cape Verde lead the group with seven points from three matches.
Mali are in second place with six points from the same number of the points and inflicted pain on the Warriors on March 23, when they edged the senior national 1-0 in Bamako through a goal by Cheick Tidiane Diabate.
It is ironic that the Nations Cup match has been moved to Rufaro after the Warriors won their last encounter against Mali at home at the National Sports Stadium on September 9 2002 when Lazarus Muhoni scored the solitary goal.
Norman Mapeza, the Warriors coach has for the better part of the week been singing the same chorus: the team needs a win and nothing else.
“We have been talking about the importance of this game for some time and are not looking at what the Malians are planning for the match, but our own game plan,” Mapeza said.
The Warriors and the Eagles are evenly balanced in the Nations Cup as both sides scored an average of 0,33 goals per match in the current campaign with each side conceding 0,33 goals per match, thus the match can go either way.
The Warriors have been boosted with the return to full fitness of tormentor in chief Knowledge Musona and Nyasha Mushekwi who, on song, can tear to shreds any defence. The senior national team also has an abundance of energy in Edward Sadomba who is likely to play as a gunner with Musona behind him while Khama Billiart and Ovidy Karuru will man the wings.
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Tinashe Nengomasha and Justice Majabvi will pull strings in midfield while Thomas Sweswe and skipper Method Mwanjali will form the core of the defence. The wing backs will be manned by Vusa Nyoni on the left with Gilbert Mapemba on the right.
The Eagles boast of a star-studded side with most of the players plying their trade in France’s Ligue 1. However, the recently crowned European champions league winner, Barcelona superstar Seydou Keita has been overlooked again for national team duty.
