Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has backed Khama Billiat and Zimbabwe to well at the 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon although he admits it will not be easy.

The Warriors are in a tough group Group B alongside, Algeria, Tunisia and Senegal.

However, the 2016 African Coach of the Year says anything is possible in football as he draws inspiration from Sundowns exploits in the CAF Champions League which they won last year.

"I told Khama that with Sundowns, we too were never given a chance in our group, but we did it," Mosimane said to Sowetan of Billiat.

"Zimbabwe can progress even as they are grouped with tough teams like Algeria, Tunisia and Senegal. 

“These teams can easily cancel out each other. You just have to avoid being whipping boys."

Zimbabwe open their AFCON campaign against the Desert Warriors of Algeria on Sunday.