By Anashe Murombedzi
ZIMBABWE’S big clash against South Africa set for the national sports stadium on the third of next month has become topical after Bafana Bafana announced their provisional squad yesterday.
A clash between the Warriors and Bafana Bafana is no ordinary match, what with a number of Zimbabwean national team players based in South Africa.
Besides familiar faces on both ends, there is also the issue of bragging rights hence Zimbabwe’s 2022 World Cup qualifier against South Africa set for the 3rd of next month at the National Sports Stadium in Harare will be a blockbuster encounter.
The battle will also bring back sad memories of the 2000 tragedy where lives were lost after Zimbabwe lost 2-0 to Bafana Bafana at the National Sports Stadium.
Away from history, South Africa have already struck the first punch after announcing a provisional 31-man squad led by Brighton’s Percy Tau ahead of the tie.
This has already generated interest around the encounter and the ball is now in the Warriors technical department’s court.
ZIFA technical director Wilson Mutekede admits the pressure is on.
“The World Cup matches against South Africa and Ethiopia, the two qualifiers are critical and very important in that we need to be well prepared for the two encounters. The opening match is always important in that it sort of determines the whole competition,” he said.
The team is expected to be dominated by foreign based players with no domestic football to talk about due to Covid-19 complications.
The good thing for the Warriors is that most of the foreign based players are now back to their best including star forward Khama Billiat, midfielders Marvelous Nakamba and Marshall Munetsi while France based striker Tino Kadewere has fully recovered from injury.
Captain Knowledge Musona will be expected to lead the team as usual while the likes of Devine Lunga and Jordan Zemura are also sure bets.
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