ZIMBABWE are capable of brewing a shocker at the 2017 Total African Cup of Nations finals despite being drawn against continental giants, two players were part of the historic 2004 finals squad have said.

The Warriors are in Group B alongside Africa’s number team Algeria, red-hot Senegal and perennial campaigners Tunisia.

However, Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda one of the best midfielders to emerge from Zimbabwe and former Warriors defender Bekithemba “Super” Ndlovu believe the Warriors have the arsenal to progress beyond the group stages.

Both Sibanda and Ndlovu were part of the Sunday “Mhofu” Chidzambwa coached squad that beat Algeria 2-1 in the group stages of the 2004 finals held in Tunisia.

Zimbabwe scored through the late Adam Ndlovu and Joel Luphahla to seal their debut Afcon finals win.

The legendary Peter Ndlovu, Agent Sawu, goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini, steely defenders Kaitano Tembo and Dumisani Mpofu and Esrom Nyandoro were also part of that squad.

“The Algerians are very dangerous in midfield; their passing is quick and are generally quite a mobile side.

“Our midfield will be key for us, but I believe we have players that can play the ball well,” said Sibanda.

The former Zimbabwe Saints and Dynamos ball passer said the Algerians are also comfortable on the ball and the Warriors will have to pressure them each time they have possession.

“I refuse to accept the minnows tag. We can’t just give up before we even play.
“It’s tough, yes, but we have to fight like men. In football, rankings are meaningless,” he said.

Ndlovu said Zimbabwe must ensure Algeria do not play their normal passing game.

“We must frustrate them and make sure they don’t play their normal game.

“The more it stays a stalemate, the better for us because they will attack more and be bound to open up at the back, which will allow us to pounce.

“We have speedy players in the likes of (Knowledge) Musona and Khama Billiart,” said Ndlovu.

The former Highlanders wing back said it was obvious the Algerians would attack from the onset in a bid to try and finish off “these minnows as early as possible”.

“The other thing about Algerian players, just like most North Africans, is that they are very temperamental.
“They easily retaliate and that will make them prone to cards, so we must frustrate them with our game plan,” Ndlovu added.

He also felt that the Warriors’ group is not as tough as some observers had declared.

“The draw, according to me is fine. We can and must shock them.

“If Zambia did it against the so called mighty Cote d’Ivoire why can’t we do it?

“Right now Mamelodi Sundowns, whose star player is our very own Billiat, are on the verge of lifting the Caf Champions League at the expense of the feared Zamalek.

“What can surely prevent our boys from doing the same,” the former Bosso captain, who is now an assistant coach at How Mine said.

Algeria have beaten Zimbabwe twice in the five matches they have met in and they have not registered a win against the Warriors since 2004.
When the two nations met in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, both legs ended in a stalemate.

Against Senegal, Zimbabwe have won four times and lost on three occasions.

The Lions of Teranga have never won the Afcon.

Zimbabwe and Tunisia have never met in any competitive match at senior level, although they registered identical 1-1 draws in friendlies played in 1998.

Algeria and Tunisia have one Afcon winners’ medal each.

Algeria lifted the trophy in 1990, while Tunisia did the same on home soil in 2004.

The Warriors take on Algeria in their opening match on January 15 before taking on Senegal on January 19.

They will wind up their group campaign against Tunisia on January 23.

- @skhumoyo2000