Zimbabwe Warriors head coach Ramon Catala says his charges are ready for a difficult AFCON qualifier against Sierra Leone on Thursday, with the team focused on making a positive start to the competition.
Speaking after the Warriors’ first training session in Casablanca, Morocco, Catala acknowledged the quality of the Sierra Leone squad but said Zimbabwe would approach the match with determination and confidence.
“It’s a very difficult match because they have a team with good players like our team. But we’re going with the motivation to start the competition well and do a very good match,” Catala said.
The coach revealed that the first training session was held with only half of the squad available following the players’ long journeys to Morocco. He described the session as an introduction but said he was encouraged by the atmosphere within the camp.
“We have done the first training session with half of the team and after a very long trip. So this was an introduction session. Very good atmosphere. The players are very professional and have the illusion also to qualify,” he said.
The Warriors held their evening training session at Raja Athletic Club, the home ground of Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca, with Catala expressing his appreciation to the club for making its facilities available to the Zimbabwean side.
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“We want to say thank you to Raja Casablanca to let us train here. It’s an amazing field to have our sessions here in Casablanca,” he said.
Catala also had a message for Warriors supporters back home, promising a committed performance when Zimbabwe take on Sierra Leone.
“We are excited that we are here. We are proud of our team and we will give our all to win the first match,” he said.
Meanwhile, late squad additions Washington Navaya and Leeroy Mavunga will miss Thursday’s qualifier due to visa complications.
The two players were brought into the squad to replace Prince Dube and Tino Kadewere, but delays in processing their visas mean they will not travel to Morocco in time for the match.
Instead, Navaya and Mavunga are expected to join the Warriors in Zimbabwe on Friday as preparations begin for Monday’s meeting with a star-studded Democratic Republic of Congo at the National Sports Stadium.
The pair will therefore miss the opportunity to train with the team ahead of the Sierra Leone encounter but are expected to be available for the DRC clash.
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