“…training session was brilliant and their attitude is good”
09 January 2022
Jeremiah Harrison
Sports Writer
The first kick of the ball took place yesterday in Cameron.
AFCON 2022 has began.
And today the Warriors are going to face the Lions of Teranga in their first AFCON fixture.
Unfortunately reports coming from Cameroon the Senegal camp has been riddled by Covid-19 infections.
Three Senegalese players are going to miss the encounter against Zimbabwe.
Senegal and Chelsea first choice goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy, Napoli centre back Kalidou Koulibaly and Famara Diedhiou tested positive for Covid-19.
These are not only players who are confirmed to be infected by Covid-19, there are also six members of the staff who tested positive.
In the Zimbabwean camp, Jordan Zemura who plays for AFC Bournemouth, is the only player missing due to Covid-19.
After yesterday’s training session, Warriors coach Norman Mapeza commented on the team’s attitude towards the tournament.
He said “The training session was brilliant. The guys are working hard and I am happy. The guys are really pushing and their attitude is good.”
“It’s all about the psychological part of the game, and we have been working on it. So far so good. Everything is falling into place. I am more than grateful to the government. They gave us this opportunity to come here early and acclimatise.”
In other news, former Warriors gaffer Caslisto Pasuwa joined Malawi camp in Cameroon.
Pasuwa led the Warriors to 2017 AFCON in Gabon but the Warriors performance was dismal and they did not qualify for the knockout stage.
Pasuwa joined ‘The Flames’ of Malawi on the technical department after his great performance as head coach at Nyasa Bullets.
He won the league title 3 times with Nyasa Bullets in Malawi.
In Zimbabwe, Pasuwa dominated the Castle Premier Soccer League after he won the title for 4 concecutive seasons with Dynamos FC from 2011-2014.
His contribution in Malawi’s national team might ruin the Warriors hope for the knockout stage in Cameroon.
Malawi are placed in Group B alongside Zimbabwe, Guinea and Senegal.
Malawi will play against Zimbabwe on the 14th of January