Khama Billiat
Eddie Chikamhi Harare Bureau
WARRIORS talisman Khama Billiat says it will be wrong to underrate their opponents Swaziland ahead of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations double header set for this Easter weekend as Zimbabwe seek maximum points to enhance their chances in the campaign.
The Mamelodi Sundowns forward finally joined the Warriors camp yesterday with teammate Cuthbert Malajila and appeared lively as the team conducted their final training session at the National Sports Stadium.
The South Africa-based duo were the last to report for duty, apart from big forward Nyasha Mushekwi who had asked to be excused and only joined the team later.
Billiat and Malajila were in Congo-Brazzaville at the weekend for a Caf Champions League assignment and they could not get flights in time for the camp due to elections taking place in that country.
Warriors’ coach Callisto Pasuwa yesterday had a full house and will be looking to take with him all the 24 players to Swaziland when the team leaves this morning.
The Zimbabwe delegation is expected to fly to Johannesburg early today and then complete the final leg of the journey to Mbabane, an approximate distance of 360km, by road.
Billiat, however, said the Warriors need to put a big fight tomorrow at Somhlolo National Stadium in Swaziland as their opponents are of unpredictable nature.
“Remember they beat Malawi and drew with Nigeria (in a 2018 World Cup qualifier) so they are not a bad side. They are a team that can fight at home but we need to put them under pressure so that they open up. We don’t want to lose this match.
“We will go out there and play our hearts out for the nation. Nothing more. If everyone is on top of their game I’m sure we can win away. So we just have to go there and fight so that we come back with a positive result,” said Billiat.
“It’s a big task but we need to man up, come together and utilise the opportunities that we get because if we do well in the away game we stand a big chance to win at home as well and then set ourselves on a better position in the qualifiers.
“So we just want to go and do our best. I believe the team is strong, most of the guys are looking sharp. There are no injuries and that makes the team a bit stronger. So we are ready.”
Zimbabwe and Swaziland are currently tied at the top of Group L with four point each but Sihlangu are currently lead on superior goal difference.
The other members of the group Guinea and Malawi, who clash in Conakry tomorrow, have one point apiece after the opening two games and will be looking to close in on the top two.
Zimbabwe beat Malawi 2-1 in the opening match of the campaign and then drew 1-1 with Guinea in the second game at home while Swaziland beat Guinea and then drew with Malawi.
But the Warriors will do themselves a big favour if they win tomorrow as they are assured of taking a morale-boosting three point lead at the top of the table ahead of the return leg at the National Sports Stadium on Monday.
The only worry has been the limited time for preparations. The good news was that coach Pasuwa and his technical team had a full house at training and should be fancying his options with the availability of his foreign-based stars like Knowledge Musona, Marvelous Nakamba, Costa Nhamoinesu, Matthew Rusike, Evans Rusike, Onismor Bhasera, Partson Jaure and skipper Willard Katsande.
He also has a good mix among the local players led by Danny Phiri, Hardlife Zvirekwi, Ronald Chitiyo and Tafadzwa Kutinyu.
Despite having been together for only two days, the Warriors were in high spirits and defender Nhamoinesu, who plays for Sparta Prague in Czech Republic, said they are looking for positive results in both matches.
“We are focused on the game and we are united as a team. We have one goal and that goal is to win the game. We know that they managed to beat Guinea and they are looking to win at home so, obviously, they will be tough opponents.
“But we aren’t looking so much deep into them. We are concentrating on ourselves because all we want to get is the maximum points.
“Right now it’s not the time to look at the negatives. We have to do with what we have. So whatever we have at our disposal we take it with two hands. The spirit is always high, the guys know each other and we are good,” said Nhamoinesu.
Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Matthew Rusike was also in bullish mood. Rusike who is playing in Sweden said the Warriors are aiming for an away win tomorrow to set the tone ahead of the home tie.
Rusike said the Warriors are looking at the bigger picture as they have set their sights on qualifying for the next edition of the tournament set for Gabon next year.
“The good thing at the moment is that players playing outside the country are on song and we just hope to carry that into the national team.
“I know they (Swaziland) don’t have high profile players but they are a team that works hard.
“It’s never easy to go away and play. You know how Africa is, it’s never a welcoming environment when you go to play to some of these countries.
“They may use it to their favour but three days later they will also come to Zimbabwe. But first of all we need to deal with them there and then they can come here and see what it’s all about.
“We have a very good chance and I think should we fail to qualify for the 2017 Afcon finals, we will have to take a long look at ourselves in the mirror because it’s for us to throw away at the moment. I feel like we have the talent and the potential to do so. So it’s all on our shoulders at the moment,” said Rusike.