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Omega Sibanda

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
Zifa vice president Omega Sibanda will be the Zimbabwe head of delegation at the Total African Nations Cup finals that get underway in Gabon on Saturday.

Sibanda left with the Warriors for the international friendly against Cameroon, which ended 1-1 on Tuesday night, as the Warriors proved their mettle against a star-studded Indomitable Lions outfit that featured an all-European based starting line-up save for defender Oyongo Ambroise, who plays for Impact FC in Canada.

The Warriors shot into a 10-minute lead through former Chicken Inn and Orlando Pirates hitman Tendai Ndoro before the Cameroonians levelled through captain Benjamin Moukandjo from from the penalty spot.

Speaking from Cameroon yesterday, Sibanda said the friendly gave the Warriors a perfect final preparation ahead of the finals.

“Everything is moving smoothly and it’s all systems go now. All is very well; we remain a united front ready to hoist our flag high. The spirit in camp is incredible and all we can say is that let Sunday be coloured with our national flag colours,” said Sibanda.

Zimbabwe take on Algeria in the opening match of their Group B encounter in Franceville, followed by a crunch tie against Senegal on January 19 before wrapping up their group stages against Tunisia on January 23.

Statistically Algeria has beaten Zimbabwe twice in the five matches they have met and are yet to register a win since the Warriors beat them 2-1 in 2004 Afcon dead rubber. Thet two played to a 1-1 and 2-2 draws in World Cup qualifiers.

Zimbabwe have beaten Senegal four times and lost three times to the West Africans, who have never lifted the Afcon.

Zimbabwe and Tunisia have never met in any competitive match at senior level, but the two countries posted identical 1-1 draws in friendly matches in 1998.

Algeria and Tunisia have a single Afcon winners’ medal each; Algeria in 1990 and Tunisia in 2004.

@skhumoyo2000