Zimbabwe head coach Sunday “Mhofu” Chidzambwa admits his side’s goalless draw against Nigeria was a real test for the team.
The Warriors drew with their counterparts from Nigeria in an international friendly on Sunday in Lagos before heading to Egypt to take part in their only fourth AFCON.
Chidzambwa speaking with the Press on Monday said his side has drawn a lot of positives from the test match against the Super Eagles.
“I have learnt a lot from the Super Eagles, particularly the way they keep possession of the ball, they are good and it is a good experience for us,” said Chidzambwa.
“The group is an excellent mix of players, and it is excellent for youthful players to make this showing. Through the match, you realise that they are skilled players and we have had the option to find some incredible abilities among them.”
“We picked some positives and we are going to work on our lapses, it was a very good test for us.”
The veteran coach added that the result against the Nigeria was a huge confidence booster ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations challenge.
“I am very proud of my boys because they played to my instruction. You don’t stop a good team like Nigeria from scoring if you are not good yourself. This shows that we are going to the African Cup of Nations in Egypt with high hopes and expectations,” added Chidzambwa.
This was third consecutive clean sheet for Zimbabwe in warm- up games after they beat Comoros 2-0 last Saturday and drew 0-0 with Zambia three days ago.
Meanwhile, Chidzambwa on Sunday named his final 23-man squad where he kept most of the players that participated in the AFCON qualifiers.
Zimbabwe were drawn in Group A of the 2019 African Cup of Nations final alongside host Egypt, Uganda and DR Congo.
inal Zimbabwe squad:
Goalkeepers: George Chigova (Polokwane City), Elvis Chipezeze (Baroka), Edmore Sibanda (Witbank Spurs)
Defenders: Teenage Hadebe (Kaizer Chiefs), Divine Lunga (Golden Arrows), Ronald Pfumbidzai (Bloemfontein Celtic), Tendai Darikwa (Nottingham Forest), Jimmy Dzingai (Power Dynamos), Alec Mudimu (CEFN Druids),
Midfielders: Talent Chawapihwa (AmaZulu), Danny Phiri (Golden Arrows), Marshall Munetsi (Orlando Pirates), Marvelous Nakamba (Club Brugge), Tafadzwa Kutinyu (Azam), Ovidy Karuru (AmaZulu), Khama Billiat (Kaizer Chiefs), Kudakwashe Mahachi (Orlando Pirates), Thabani Kamusoko (Young Africans).
Strikers: Knowledge Musona (Anderlecht), Nyasha Mushekwi (Dalian Yifang), Tinotenda Kadewere (Le Havre), Knox Mutizwa (Golden Arrows), Evans Rusike (SuperSport United).
