By Trevor Makonyonga
The Warriors got not so much of a difficult group in the World Cup draw held yesterday, Tuesday 21 January, by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Zimbabwe will face southern neighbours South Africa, West African giants, Ghana and Ethiopia.
Zimbabwe seem to be the underdogs in the group because of the circumstances surrounding the country’s performance at the African cup of national finals which saw them being knocked out in the group stages without securing a single point.
As the team is yet to appoint a coach, Zimbabwe will have to sort out structures that ensure professionalsm and that will give the boys a chance to progress to the finals.
The pool of selection also has to be big in order to have players who suit the opponents being faced.
Zimbabwe has a pool of good players but the nation has previously failed is the technical and tactical side.
Poor preparations and debts owed by the football governing body, to players in outstanding salaries and winning bonuses are still gripping many football enthusiasts that it might jeopardize the campaign.
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has however said that they are in the same mould of preparation as the other teams.
As such, the administration has to put their house in order so that play on the field takes place without hiccups.
Group E, meanwhile, seems to be the most interesting as it has three teams from East Africa in Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda. Mali joins in as the only team from outside the Cecafa bloc.
Mali could be at an advantage in that every game the other three teams play against each other will be tense because of regional rivalry hence Mali can capitalise on being in a neutral position.
Below is the full draw.
Full draw:World cup qualifiers
Group A: Algeria, Burkina Faso , Niger, Djibouti
Group B: Tunisia , Zambia, Mauritania, Equatorial Guinea,
Group C: Nigeria, Cape Verde , Central African Republic, Liberia
Group D: Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, Malawi
Group E: Mali , Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda
Group F: Egypt , Gabon, Libya, Angola
Group G: Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia
Group H: Senegal, Congo , Namibia, Togo
Group I: Morocco , Guinea , Guinea-Bissau, Sudan
Group J: Congo DR , Benin , Madagascar, Tanzania
