Stadium, lies in the players believing in themselves.
After a false start to the Nations Cup Group A qualifying race in which they drew their first two games and lost the third, the Warriors have over the last few months found their rhythm again.
And, crucially, they have forced their way back into reckoning for a place at the 2012 finals scheduled for Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

A vital 2-1 victory over Mali at Rufaro on June 5, via a Knowledge Musona brace, coupled with leaders Cape Verde’s surprise 1-0 defeat by Liberia in Monrovia that same weekend, changed the complexion of the Warriors campaign as it threw Group A wide open.
Now only two points separate third-placed Zimbabwe from Cape Verde, who top the standings with seven, ahead of their visit to second-placed Mali in Bamako tonight.
But the Warriors know that their win over Mali threw the fate of their destiny back into their hands.

And Mapeza yesterday said it was imperative that “we continue with a winning culture and ensure we fight to the very last game”.
Mapeza encountered a number of frustrations as Warriors’ captain with his troops often falling prey to the last hurdle jinx.
And the former Monomotapa coach is eager to turn on a new leaf in his role as the senior team’s gaffer.

The coach is also aware that their last two performances have torched greater expectations from a soccer-mad nation and more importantly has re-ignited the bond between the Warriors and their fans.
But Mapeza revealed that he had warned his charges to be patient as they go about their job tomorrow and also passionately appealed to the fans to be patient and give his players a chance to settle

into the game.
“I don’t have any complaints about any injuries so far this week. I am also happy with the improved condition of the players now that all the leagues have started now and they have been looking sharp at training.

“As a team we have been trying to work on our weak areas and to remain focused on the job at hand. We were a bit slow in our reaction in our last two matches but I have noted a great improvement.
“We have also worked hard on our transition from defence to attack and we have been saying three or four passes from the back going forward should see us entering the opposition half, we should try to avoid too many passes at the back,” Mapeza said.

But it is in self-belief, and the confidence that has been brought about by the last two results, which Mapeza reckon will be key when the Warriors troop into battle tomorrow.
“The wins over Mali and Zambia have been great motivation and there is great belief in themselves so if they can believe in themselves again on Sunday we should not go wrong.
“Everybody now knows what it means to win and I have been preaching to them that if we maintain this winning culture we can go far”.

The coach, who saw his charges remarkably rise on the Fifa World rankings following the success over Mali and another convincing win over Zambia in an international friendly, also attributed the triumph to improved understanding among his players.
“It has been a process from our first game against Liberia in Monrovia up to now. Against Mai we defend well and kept the ball well, against Zambia we improved on pour pressing and we won a lot of

balls and form that I can see that we are progressing.
“I think now there is this understanding where everybody knows what to do when we have the ball and when we don’t have it,” Mapeza said.
The Warriors continued with their build up to the game with another session at the match venue yesterday while late on Thursday they had a feel of the game situation with a clash against Premiership champions Motor Action which they won 1-0 via a Khama Billiat strike.

If that game is anything to go by then Al-Hilal hitman Edward Sadomba, seeking to break his Nations Cup qualifiers duck, will lead the attack.
Sadomba who has insisted he will not put himself under pressure to score should not be short of ample support with the sprightly Quincy Antipas and the skilful Billiat expected to give the Warriors enough width on the flanks and France-based Ovidy Karuru operating just behind Duduza.

Veteran midfielder Tinashe Nengomasha could anchor the engine room that also includes his new Kaizer Chiefs teammate and new Warriors playmaker Willard Katsande.

There should be very little change in the shape of goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini’s defence that is led by skipper Method Mwanjali.
The vastly improved Daniel Veremu looks set to be preferred to fill in for the suspended Thomas Sweswe where the FC Platinum defender will partner Mwanjali.
Despite the Liberians anchoring the Group A standings, Mapeza said he was expecting the West Africans to play a physical game tomorrow.

“We are expecting them to play a very physical game but we have to be quick and we should not give them a chance to settle down.
“But we have also spoken about the need to be patient and if we can’t get an early goal, we should not force matters, we just have to keep creating the chances”.
Liberia’s Italian coach Roberto Landi has been in defiant mood since his team’s arrival in the capital and yesterday he once again warned the Warriors to expect a tough afternoon insisting they had come to Harare “for nothing short of victory”.
“Zimbabwe is a very beautiful country, the hospitality has been excellent but we are here to win.
“We know that if we don’t win that will be the end of the road for us but we believe we can win this game and try to win our last match at home and qualify,” Landi said.
The Warriors,however, have, found a new spring in their step and they are not likely to let the Lone Star derail their revival.
Probable Warriors team:
T. Kapini, G. Mapemba, V. Nyoni, D. Veremu, M. Mwanjali, T. Nengomasha, Q. Antipas, W. Katsande, E. Sadomba, O. Karuru, K. Billiat.

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