By Anesu Chakanetsa

WHEN the Warriors troop into the Somhlolo Stadium for their crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group L encounter against Swaziland tomorrow (March 25) there will be much more than three points at stake.
The Zimbabwe senior national soccer team will also be seeking to repair and restore an image recently battered by damaging match-fixing allegations.
Tomorrow’s match had allegedly been targeted by the marauding match-fixing cartel which planned to prostitute Warriors’ crucial points.
This was before the Philip Chiyangwa-led executive unearthed the scam which has so far hit almost every part of the globe.
But away from the disturbing match-fixing fiasco, the Warriors will be seeking victory to establish a commanding lead on top of the log ahead of the return leg in Harare early next week.
Both Zimbabwe and Swaziland are tied on four points after two matches, but Sihlangu, as Swaziland are affectionately known, are on top courtesy of a healthy goal difference.
Warriors steamrolled Malawi in their first encounter, courtesy of Cuthbert Malajila and Khama Billiat strikes.
In the second encounter, Zimbabwe had to come back from a goal behind at home against the Cranes of Guinea, thanks to star striker Knowledge Musona’s cool finish.
Malawi and fellow strugglers Guinea have a point each and are stuck at the bottom of the log.
Swaziland have proved they are no pushovers if their shock dismantling of Guinea is anything to go by.
Sihlangu stunned their fancied opponents in their own backyard, cruising to a 2-1 victory.
In their second encounter, they shared spoils with their Southern Africa counterparts, Malawi.
It is the Warriors’ first encounter since their disappointing outing in Rwanda during the African Championships Tournament (CHAN) early this year.
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) have justifiably argued the CHAN matches could have been part of the match-fixing racket.
This resulted in the Warriors hitting all-time lows in the FIFA rankings.
Zimbabwe are currently on position 119, five places on top of the group surprise leaders, Swaziland who are ranked 124.
ZIFA boss, Chiyangwa castigated match-fixing scandals as it tarnishes the image of Zimbabwe football.
Meanwhile police have launched a full-scale investigation to bring culprits in the match-fixing scam to book.
Despite the match-fixing scam, a strong troop is ready to face Swaziland for back-to-back encounters on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
On a negative note, the dream squad that had been named by Warriors coach Callisto Pasuwa has been hit by non-commitment by some players called up for camp.
The absence of England-based trio, Tendai Darikwa of Burnley, McCauley Bonne of Colchester and Brendan Galloway who plays for Everton could be a blow to the Warriors.
Galloway opted to play for England’s under 21 weekend fixture, Darikwa has been excused for some problems he has to solve and Bonne is having travelling documents complications.
However, expected players have a lot to display and show signs of physical fitness for the two back-to-back encounters in Mbabane and Harare respectively.
Pasuwa has a mammoth task in choosing the goalie as he has three experts in the form of Washington Arubi, Benard Donovan and Tatenda Mukuruva.
They are all great shot-stoppers.
Pasuwa also has formidable defenders who took the Warriors to the CHAN semi-finals in 2014.
Partson Jaure, Eric Chipeta and Hardlife Zvirekwi are ready to continue with their great combination.
Costa Nhamoinesu, who proved impregnable for Guinea strikers, is also expected to play a crucial role.
Other defenders in camp include Lawrence Mhlanga, Elias Muroiwa and Bruce Kangwa.
Marvelous Nakamba, Willard Katsande, Danny Phiri and Kuda Mahachi are expected to dominate the middle of the park.
The strike force is well defined with the smiling assassin, Knowledge Musona, expected to lead.
In-form Khama Billiat, Evans Rusike and Nyasha Mushekwi are expected to deliver goals.
Zimbabwean players are currently doing well for their respective clubs.
As for Swaziland, their defence has been crippled because their top defender Muzi Dhlamini was suspended by Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the encounter.
Dlamini was dominant in their last two qualifiers against Guinea and Malawi.
Nevertheless, Swaziland, believed to be on the rise, has a number of promising players for the crucial encounter.
Sidumo Shongwe, Mxolisi Lukhele and Sandile Hlatswayo are among the finest in the Swazi team.
Warriors fans are currently in a jovial mood after the Senior Women’s national team, the Mighty Warriors, cruised past Tanzania 3-2 (aggregate) in an African Women Cup (AWC) of Nations qualifier.
Since Chiyangwa came into office, a wave of change has been sweeping Zimbabwean football.
Nowadays the Warriors staff and squad are receiving their dues on time.
Fans hope the back-to-back header against Swaziland will be the defining moment for the Warriors.
It’s time they get back to winning ways.
After Swaziland, Zimbabwe will head to Guinea and then come back to play Malawi in their last group clash later in the year.