THE Warriors have been hit by injuries to four key players ahead of their decisive African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier against neighbours Zambia at Rufaro on Sunday.
Hwange defender Eric Chipeta, midfielder Devon Chafa, skipper Masimba Mambare and Tendai Ndoro sat out the morning training session at Prince Edward on Tuesday owing to injuries and sickness.
Head coach Ian Gorowa however, said the injuries were not serious and was hoping the players would recover in time for the match against Zambia.
Chafa complained of a headache while the others had picked some knocks during the drawn match against Mauritius.
The Warriors wasted countless chances to draw 1-1 at home against Mauritius at Rufaro on Sunday although they progressed to the last qualifying round of the tournament courtesy of a 4-1 aggregate win.
Gorowa said his charges tended to play better when they are away than at home.
Statistics from the match against Mauritius on Sunday, he added, showed that his charges had 25 entries into the Mauritius box but could only manage a single goal.
The coach said this was due to the pressure that comes with playing at home but emphasised that it was important to win at home to make things easier when playing away.
“I had some one doing stats for me during the match against Mauritius. We had 25 entries into their box and were supposed to score at least five goals but we just managed to score one goal,” said Gorowa.
He warned that against Zambia it would be difficult as chances were likely to be limited.
“Against Zambia it will be difficult because chances will be few. We will have time to watch the video of the match against Mauritius on Sunday so that the players see where they were coming short and what they need to do to improve,” added Gorowa.
The Warriors trained at Prince Edward once in the morning on Tuesday while in the afternoon they analysed a video of the match against Mauritius.
Nelson Maziwisa did not take part in the morning training session as he had been allowed to attend to some family problem.
Zimbabwe will be meeting Zambia for the third time this year with their first meeting coming in April in an international friendly match in which the Warriors were defeated 2-0. Zimbabwe also lost by an identical 2-0 score-line in the final of the Cosafa Cup which they
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