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Final Innocent Kurira, [email protected]

WARRIORS defender, Gerald Takwara has said the national team will not repeat the mistakes that saw them conceding two early goals in their semi-final game against Zambia, when they face Kenya in the final of the Four Nations Invitational tournament in Malawi this afternoon.

Although Zimbabwe ran out 6-5 winners on penalties in the semi-final, Takwara said the team was aware that the final against Kenya would be tough.

The Warriors conceded two goals inside the first 25 minutes of the match.

Chipolopolo scored the opening goal of the match in the first minute through Stopilla Sunzu before they doubled the lead through Clatous Chama in the 23rd minute.

Zimbabwe responded towards the half hour mark and pulled one back through Macauley Bonne’s tap-in in the 29th minute, before Walter Musona secured the equaliser on the stroke of halftime.

Andy Rinomhota, Musona, Tinotenda Kadewere, Marshall Munetsi, Devine Lunga, Takwara, Donovan Bernard and Botswana-based Daniel Msendami took penalties for the Warriors.

Musona and Lunga had their spot kicks saved before Msendami scored the last effort, which won the game for Zimbabwe.

In the other semi-final, Kenya humbled hosts Malawi 4-0 to book a date in the final with Zimbabwe.

Takwara acknowledged that they started badly and will rectify their mistakes against Kenya.

“We started badly. I don’t know what was happening, but we picked up after a while and everyone was working more than 100 percent. The comeback was nice and we hope it’s not going to happen again.

“The training is okay. We have difficulties in some areas, but we can’t complain. We can’t afford to have excuses all the time, we just have to adjust to whatever is there,” said Takwara.

He said the final against Kenya will not be an easy game.

“It’s going to be a tough game. They are also playing to make their country proud. It’s going to be a tough game, but we are going to manage it,” said Takwara.

The Warriors squad includes other UK-based players, Joey Phuthi of Sheffield Wednesday, Leicester City’s Tawanda Maswanhise, Shane Maroodza from Huddersfield Town and Brentford B goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva.

Junior Makunike, Peter Muduhwa and Emmanuel Jalai are some of the locally-based players in the squad.

Warriors Squad

Goalkeepers: Martin Mapisa, Donovan Bernard, Marley Tavaziva

Defenders: Shane Maroodza, Divine Lunga, Gerald Takwara, Kevin Moyo, Teenage Hadebe, Peter Muduhwa, Munashe Garananga, Emmanuel Jalai, Jordan Zemura, Joey Phuthi

Midfielders: Marshall Munetsi, Junior Makunike, Andy Rinomhota, Tivonge Rushesha, Tawanda Chirewa, Walter Musona

Strikers: Tinotenda Kadewere, Daniel Msendami, Tawanda Maswanhise, Macauley Bonne
—@innocentskizoe