By Sheldon Hakata
STAR striker Knowledge Musona’s return and CAF’s decision to move the Zimbabwe senior men’s national soccer team, the Warriors’ Total Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2021 qualifiers against Botswana from Barbourfields Stadium has dominated news this week but, tonight, all will be forgotten when the neighbours lock horns in their bid to earn the ticket to the coveted tournament.
Belgian-based striker and skipper Musona bounces back to the team after a nightmarish outing during the 2019 AFCON Finals in Egypt in June this year where he missed chance after chance as the Warriors bowed out of the tournament in embarrassing fashion.
The talented sharpshooter, whose goals led the Warriors to Egypt, has since been targeted by a coterie of supporters and the media for his horror show in Egypt.
That section believes that the Anderlecht forward should not have been included in the team.
His case has not been helped by a nagging ankle injury that has kept him out of action for the better part of this season.
That should not, however, take his pedigree and precision in front of goal if his past exploits are anything to go by.
The burden to give the Warriors another AFCON romance rests on his shoulders as Zimbabwe seeks to fire early warning shots against their rivals tonight.
Victory should also appease the swelling anger, especially among Bulawayo fans and surrounding areas who had been drooling over the prospect of watching the Warriors in action at the iconic Barbourfields for the first time in six years.
The fans are still reeling from CAF’s shock decision to switch the match venue, with the Botswana Football Association (BFA) joining the chorus, early this week.
The BFA said this week that the perplexing decision by CAF will cost them an extra US$23 000 in expenses for the crunch tie.
Conflicting statements and finger-pointing between the Bulawayo City Council and ZIFA on social media almost became an embarrassing spectacle ahead of the crucial tie.
However, the decision by BCC for upfront payment from ZIFA prompted CAF to take no chances but switch the venue amid poor lighting, given Zimbabwe’s football mother body’s dreadful record when it comes to paying its dues.
The lights were last used in 2017 during the COSAFA Women’s Championship.
CAF switched the match to the traditional football venue, the National Sports Stadium, in a bid to avoid the potential of floodlight failure during the match, having been taken aback by BCC and ZIFA’s failure to solve their issues.
Previously, there used to be a rotational system between the National Sports Stadium and Barbourfields Stadium whenever the Warriors were playing.
The rotational system would allow football fans across the country an opportunity to support their teams in flesh.
Back in the year 2000, Barbourfields Stadium hosted the Warriors under Sunday Chidzambwa.
They beat Lesotho 3-0 in the COSAFA Cup final second leg match.
The Warriors’ last match at Barbourfields was a friendly against Mozambique in December 2013.
Zimbabwe has assembled what many believe to be one of the strongest Warriors side in recent memory, with its contingent scattered across the globe, including the much famed Barclays English Premier League where mercurial midfielder Marvellous Nakamba plies his trade.
Apart from Nakamba, other big names making the list include Ronald Pfumbidzai, Ovidy Karuru, Khama Billiat, Tino Kadewere, Alec Mudimu, Devine Lunga, Thabani Kamusoko with goalkeepers Elvis Chipezeze and Simba Chinami.
Under former Warriors gaffer Ben Kofie, Botswana has embarked on a massive youth development programme.
They had this protracted junior development programme in football for almost two decades.
They are now reaping the rewards.
Botswana have, in the past, lost to second string sides from Zimbabwe.
Qualification to major tournaments has eluded Botswana due to a chronic lack of talent identification programmes.
Also, the team has been on a coach hiring and firing spree that has resulted in instability.
David Bright led the team during qualifiers for the 2019 AFCON, after the BFA chose not to renew the Englishman, Peter Butler’s contract. Butler was appointed in 2014 and results never came. Under Bright, the Botswana side only managed to score one goal in their six Group One matches.
Botswana have traditionally proved to be ‘cheap’ customers for Zimbabwe even though they have posted a victory here and there in the 15 matches they have played together.
Zimbabwe has beaten its opponents eight times while losing five, with two matches ending as draws.
The Warriors will also be seeking revenge after their 1-0 loss to the Zebras in the President’s Cup played on April 18 last year.
Zimbabwe host Botswana before travelling to Zambia where they will play at the Heroes National Stadium on November 19.