Mapeza Caught Between A Rock & A Hard Place Ahead Of Game Against Ethiopia

Warriors interim coach Norman Mapeza could find himself between a rock and a hard place when selecting his first XI to do duty against Ethiopia at the National Sports stadium in Harare in the final world cup qualifiers group G match this afternoon.

The Warriors who are out of the World Cup qualifiers after failing to register a win in five games are going through a clear rebuilding phase and are mainly using the game against Ethiopia to prepare for the Africa cup of nations next year.

Coach Norman Mapeza is under pressure to give game time to some of the new players he brought into the squad to prove their worth against Ethiopia and at the same time desperate for a first win in the group to redeem some pride.

The Warriors have only scored one goal in the group and conceded six. They have one point from a draw against South Africa.

As desperate as Mapeza is for a win, he might be tempted to go for the tried and tested and returning a few who did well against Bafana Bafana.

Players like Taimon Mvula, Jonah Fabisch and Godknows Murwira who haven’t got a chance to prove themselves will also be looking to get a chance this afternoon.

Bill Antonio the 19-year-old Dynamos teenage sensation who made his debut in a cameo appearance against South Africa on Thursday will also be aiming for more game time.

The Warriors will be missing two key players in Marvelous Nakamba and Divine Lunga through injury, but Alec Mudimu who missed Thursday’s 0-1 loss to South Africa is available for Ethiopia.

It remains to be seen who gets to start today, but whoever picked today, the Warriors need a win today at home to return confidence in the team.

Here is Zimbabwe Warriors’ probable XI against Ethiopia

Mvula, Murwira, Galloway, Takwara, Mudimu, Kamusoko, Antonio, Fabisch, Mutizwa, Madhananga, Billiat (c).

Prediction

Zimbabwe🇿🇼 1-0 Ethiopia🇪🇹