Tanzania’s Taifa Stars might have scrapped through with a solitary John Bocco goal against Zimbabwe Warriors a fortnight ago in the Orange Africa Cu of Nations- Morocco 2015 first round qualifier but coach Mart Nooj is taking the return leg match in Harare seriously as he hopes to ensure an important away win that will propel them to the second round of matches.
Nooj in his characteristically soft spoken demeanour told Cafonline.com that they were taking the game seriously as he warned his players against any complacency while playing with the more determined Warriors who saw a clear goal denied in the first leg played at the National Stadium in Dar Es Salaam
“We have a tough outing against Zimbabwe who are a very good side and we cannot afford any slip- ups when we face them over the weekend. It is definitely a daunting task but I always believe nothing is impossible if we can manage to score another early goal then we will have an advantage ”Nooj told Cafonline.com
“I have urged my players to give 100 percent in this important clash as it’s our only opportunity to proceed to the second round of matches and Tanzania being a football crazy country where fans love the game a lot we would not wish to disappoint them at all despite facing tricky opponents who fired from all cylinders when we played in the first leg” Nooj added
Nooj will be looking at the inspiration TP Mazembe duo of Mbwana Samatta and Thomas Ulimwengu to provide the creativity as John Bocco will spear head the goal hunt .Defender Nadir “Canavaro”Haroub will be the man to hold together the defence as they work on thwarting attempts from the marauding Warriors strikers.
On the other hand Zimbabwe have faced serious injury worries with the latest culprit being play maker Kudakwashe Mahachi who sustained a knew injury when Highlanders played against Harare City over the weekend and will not recover in time for the return leg clash. Mahachi joins Peter “Rio”Moyo who has already been ruled out in the must win game after being injured last week.
Despite the injuries the mood in the Warriors camp has been upbeat with Belgium based Ovidy Karuru alluding to the fact that the team was in the right shape and they were set to upset Tanzanian in the return leg.
Libyan based Edward Sadomba arrived in Harare on Wednesday ready for the weekend clash. In the first leg Zimbabwe looked the stronger, superior team in the first half and deserved to level matters and coach Ian Gorowa has his work cut out for him needing to convince the passionate fans that he is the right man for the job and only a win can restore confidence in the must win clash .
“The players have been working very hard in training and I believe we have an opportunity to upset Tanzania despite the 1-0 loss away we were the better side and showed a lot of purpose and determination. It will be a tough encounter as our opponents are equally very good but at this moment and time we have no other option but to win at home and proceed to the second round of matches “coach Ian Gorowa told Cafonline.com in a telephone Interview.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) News
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