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The Herald
Tadious Fake Sports Reporter
WARRIORS poster Khama Billiat will start from the bench when Zimbabwe host Algeria in an AFCON 2021 at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.
It is only the second time that Billiat has started as a substitute since the 2017 Nations Cup qualifier against Swaziland at the same venue on March 28, 2016.
With the score still scoreless, at halftime, coach Callisto Pasuwa was forced to pitch it, early in the second half, providing two assists, and scoring the other, 4-0.
Marshall Mudehwe, who had replaced him in the starting eleven, was the target of the boo-boys throughout the first half.
However, today there will be no fans inside the giant stadium.
The new coach, Zdravko Logarusic, indicated yesterday that he will mark changes in the line-up that started the reverse game in Algiers last Thursday.
Zimbabwe lost that match 1-3.
And one of the abandoned players is Billiat, who took a good opportunity to lead the Warriors to the lead in Algiers.
Fullback Divine Lunga, who was guilty of two of Algeria’s goals, central defender Alec Mudimu and midfielder Ovidy Karuru, have been eliminated as Loga will adopt a 4-4-2 formation.
Talbert Shumba, who replaced the injured and error-prone Elvis Chipezeze in Algiers at half-time, will be on the goals while Tendayi Darikwa retains his place as right-back.
Adam Chicksen will be deployed to the left back.
Jimmy Dzingai and Teenage Hadebe will play at the heart of defense in a risky move for Loga given that fellow centermates, like fellow attackers, need to get used to each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
The last time Mudimu didn’t accompany Hadebe in central defense, the Warriors scored four goals against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the AFCON final in Egypt last year.
Marvelous Nakamba and Jordan Zemura will provide the defensive midfield shield, while Tafadzwa Rusike and Knowledge Musona complete the four-man midfield setup.
Moyo and Tino Kadewere, the scorer of Zimbabwe’s only goal last week in attack, will lead the attack.
Loga has certainly taken big risks here, which, if things don’t go well, could lead to the coach being criticized by many quarters.
But, if you pay dividends, you will be hailed for your bravery.
Warriors first XI:
Talbert Shumba, Tendayi Darikwa, Jimmy Dzingai, Teenage Hadebe, Adam Chicksen, Jordan Zemura, Tafadzwa Rusike, Marvelous Nakamba, Knowledge Musona, David Moyo, Tino Kadewere.
