Ahead of the January 16 to February 6 African Championship of Nations (CHAN), Zimbabwe’s captain, Hardlife Zvirekwi says his side is in good frame and will be able to beat their 2014 achievement.
Zvirekwi who was with Warriors in South Africa two years ago where the side finished fourth believes the country that has featured at the last three editions with their first two appearances being group stage exits can better last editions performance.
We did well the last time and that shows we can even do better. As players we know what is expected from us so we will give it our best shot.
Zimbabwe who will take on Uganda in their last group match on January 27 says his side is in the best state of mind and have the ability to surpass their fourth place finish at the last edition.
We did well the last time and that shows we can even do better. As players we know what is expected from us so we will give it our best shot. We are preparing hard and we are in the right state of mind for the tournament. Everyone is already geared up. We are eyeing to do better than the last time when we were in South Africa. That is possible to achieve
Zvirekwi assumed the Warriors armband following an injury to midfielder Danny Phiri who has been ruled out of the tournament.
The latter revealed to the same website that his teammates can do the job despite his absence and four other key players due to injury.
There are guys in the team with strong characters and technically gifted. I believe they will do well in the team and our absence will not be felt. The guys are very serious and are training hard. Their hard work will be rewarded. When others are out, there are always guys available to fill up. It could be the five of us who are out injured by the team remains strong.
Phiri is joined on the sidelines by his Chicken Inn teammates Raphael Kutinyu and Teenage Hadebe as well as Hillary Bakacheza and goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya. The injuries left coach Callisto Pasuwa with 27 men to select his final 23 men from.
AFRICAN NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP
When: January 16 – February 6
Where: Rwanda
POOLS
Group A: Rwanda, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Gabon
Group B: DRC, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Angola
Group C: Tunisia, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria
Group D: Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Mali
Opening group fixtures
Saturday, 16 January 2016
Rwanda vs Ivory Coast (Amahoro Stadium, 15:00)
Gabon vs Morocco (Amahoro Stadium, 18:00)
Sunday, 17 January 2016
DR Congo vs Ethiopia (Huye Stadium, 15:00)
Angola vs Cameroon (Huye Stadium, 18:00)
Monday, 18 January 2016
Tunisia vs Guinea (Kigali Regional Stadium, 15:00)
Nigeria vs Niger (Kigali Regional Stadium, 18:00)
Tuesday, 19 January 2016
Zimbabwe vs Zambia (Rubavu Stadium, 15:00)
Mali vs Uganda (Rubavu Stadium, 18:00)
