Story by Anashe Murombedzi
THE Zimbabwe home-based Warriors have left the country for Francistown, Botswana ahead of their Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier against Eswatini this Sunday.
After missing the 2022 edition due to suspension, Zimbabwe returns to the CHAN tournament with aspirations of improving on their best finish of fourth place in 2014.
The team is under Warriors Assistant Coach Takesure Chiragwi who has selected a youthful squad.
“We’re going to use this competition to build experience and prepare for future international events. I have faith in every one of them I believe we will bring a positive result,” he said.
Zimbabwe boasts a strong head-to-head record against Eswatini, with three wins and two draws in their previous encounters.
The Warriors will be the designated home team for Sunday’s encounter and will look to secure a favourable result before the return leg at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga province, South Africa, next weekend.
The match has been spiced up by the fact that Eswatini are under former Warriors coach, Zidravko Logarusic.
The winner over the two legs will face Madagascar in the final qualifying round, with the ultimate prize being a spot at the CHAN tournament in East Africa.
The CHAN tournament, held every two years, will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania next year.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s recent rise to 117th on the FIFA world football rankings and 31st in Africa has renewed optimism about the team’s prospects.
