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Ian Gorowa

THE Zimbabwe Warriors go into their first ever major tournament quarter-finals this evening against a youthful Mali side that topped Group A with seven points, one ahead of Nigeria who came second.In their group, the Ian Gorowa coached side managed two draws against Morocco and Uganda before choking up a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso in the last group match to take their points tally to five, the same as group winners Morocco who took the top spot after hitting the nets four times compared to Zimbabwe’s single goal.

Known as perennial under-achievers, the Warriors have a perfect opportunity to erase that name tag when they troop into Cape Town Stadium at 8.30pm this evening.

With the Nations Cup qualifiers coming up soon, a victory today and the expected subsequent triumphs in the semi-finals and final will instill a sense of belief and confidence in the boys and the nation at large that qualification for the more prestigious tournament is a big possibility.

We believe that if Gorowa can steer his army into victory today, the next match will be anyone’s takings and indeed the final as well. A win today will square the Warriors against either Gabon or Libya.

Yes, the nation has been left heartbroken on countless occasions with the 0-2 loss to Angola in the Afcon 2013 qualifier still vivid in many a fan’s mind, but now is the time to redeem all the lost pride. Now is the time to make the nation happy. Now is the time, we believe, for the Warriors to show that indeed, they are men among men, not boys in a men’s game like it is believed in some sections.

Another motivating factor for the boys should be the desire to move up on the Fifa/Coca-Cola world rankings, set to be released on February 13.

The championship might not be on the Fifa calendar but the world soccer body recognises the matches when it comes to rankings and without doubt, the Warriors’ world and African rankings have undoubtedly moved up just by reaching the quarter-finals. A win today will further push them upwards, way from their present 105 on the world stage and 29 in Africa.

Head coach, Gorowa has already made his intentions clear that he wants to walk all the way to the winners’ podium and we believe it is very possible. The dream lives on!

Very few, including perhaps some of the players in the national team, gave this team any chance following that first leg demoralising 0-0 draw against mighty Zambia in the Chan qualifiers but against all odds, the boys brewed a shocker and registered a 1-0 win in Lusaka, courtesy of a Charles Sibanda strike. It’s a pity he will not play tonight due to an injury sustained during the Monday clash against Burkina Faso.

Borrowing Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu’s biblical phrase, It shall be well!

Go Warriors Go!