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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter 

ALTHOUGH there is general consensus that the Warriors were handed a fair Caf TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cup draw, preparations and proper team selection will play a crucial role in whether the team can break the jinx of failing to go beyond the group stages, according to former captain Benjani Mwaruwari.

Zimbabwe were drawn in the same group with Malawi, Guinea and Senegal on Tuesday night.

The Warriors play their first game of the group against the Teranga Lions at the Kouekong Stadium in the city of Bafoussam on January 10 next year followed by a clash with Malawi on January 14 and Guinea four days later.

Mwaruwari warned that the fair draw would come to naught if the selection process is not handled properly and the preparations are shoddy.

He said if these two issues are handled professionally, the Warriors could do well.

“I think it’s a good draw though. We just have to aim high and beat Senegal because to tell ourselves that we have to beat Malawi and Guinea for us to qualify will not work. We have to send a clear signal of intent in our opening match.

“If we get proper preparations with all other factors taken care of, avoiding our usual problems, this is the time to start preparing. Let us start looking for resources now. With good preparations, this thing is doable,” said Mwaruwari.

Mwaruwari was part of the Warriors’ team that fell 0-2 to Senegal in the 2006 African Nations Cup finals in Egypt.

The two teams met again in the group stages in the 2017 Afcon finals in Gabon and the Warriors lost 2-0, with Sadio Mane and Henri Saivet striking inside the opening 13 minutes.