There is no better place to be than a position where destiny lies firmly in your hands.
BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
Zimbabwe face Malawi in a crucial 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier today, a match in which a win could see the country book a ticket for the continental competition to be hosted by Gabon for the first time in 10 years.
A success-starved nation waits with bated breath but it’s an all too familiar scenario of exceeding hope which more often than not, has ended in heartbreak.
Standardsport caught up with a few of the Warriors players, including captain Willard Katsande who shared their sentiments on the big match.
Willard Katsande (Kaizer Chiefs – South Africa): This match is very important because it should change our lives. We need to go to Gabon and experience the Afcon again and with the quality of players we have, I think we are capable of winning this game.
Everytime we are always reminding each other how important this game is and how it’s going to change our lives and everybody is aware, we know what’s at stake.
Our fans are the ones who make our lives easier by supporting us and I promise we are going to deliver.
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Costa Nhamoinesu (Sparta Praha –Czech Republic): We are going out there and we are putting more than maximum effort. We are going to ‘die a little’ today because winning this match will put us in a better position in terms of qualifying for the Afcon; that’s why it’s a very important game.
It’s a match that we would like to win at all cost and [the fact] that we are playing at home and we will have the full support of the home fans, means we would really like to win. We have been training every day [and] you could see the hunger from all the players.
Kuda Mahachi (Golden Arrows – South Africa): For me, it’s important because it’s been a long time since Zimbabwe has qualifed for the Afcon and this is our chance. I am dedicating this game to my daughter because these past few weeks I have been mourning her.
We only need to look at our fixtures, not at others, as we need to win our last two games against Guinea and Malawi. If we win this game I think we will qualify for Gabon.
The fans must come in their numbers like they did for the match against Swaziland to support the team. We will not disappoint them, we are playing at home, so we need to win this game as every Zimbabwean is looking forward to this game.
Knowledge Musona (KV Oostende – Belgium): It’s a very important match for us because we have done very well in the past games. We didn’t lose, so I hope that today we are going to collect maximum points again. We just want to try and be the group leaders until the end of the qualifiers.
I always prefer to do the talking on the field of play, but on behalf of the team, I just want to promise the fans that we are going to work hard to fight for each other and try to collect maximum points. Please come to the stadium and support us.
Marvelous Nakamba (Vitesse Arnhem FC – Netherlands): I think it’s a very important match for every Zimbabwean to get a positive result and the morale in the camp has been high, we are looking forward to getting a positive result.
We promise the fans that we will try our best. We will give everything for them and for us. I think it would be good for every Zimbabwean if we get a positive result.
