WARRIORS coach Michael Nees will make changes to his team to face Cameroon at the Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda, this afternoon with Tawanda Chirewa set to be dropped from the starting lineup after his underwhelming performance against Kenya on Friday.
Kick-off for this Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group J matchday two qualifier is 6pm Zimbabwe time.
The Warriors are looking to get their campaign off the ground after they were held to a goalless draw by the Harambee Stars in their group opener while the Indomitable Lions are seeking to consolidate their position at the top of the group following their 1-0 win over Namibia on Saturday.
Speaking to the media after the team's last training session in Kampala yesterday, Nees who will be taking charge of his second game since his appointment last month, revealed that he would make changes to his squad as he plots Cameroon’s downfall.
The German kept his cards close to the chest, but from the training drills, it appears that 20-year-old England-based Chirewa will be benched.
"There could be changes, yes," Nees said. "I cannot give names now because someone might wake up with a running stomach or a running nose or twist his ankle on leaving the bus. We really don't know what might happen tomorrow. The final team is finalised an hour before the game. Until that time, a lot of things can happen. You guys should be patient."
Chirewa, who dazzled against South Africa the last time he played for the Warriors, started in the number 10 role against Kenya, but failed to impose himself. He was substituted in the second half, a decision which he did not go down well with the player.
Yesterday, he snubbed a request for an interview by the Zimbabwe travelling journalists.
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Khama Billiat, brilliant all afternoon on Friday, is set to be moved from the right wing to take up Chirewa's position behind the strikers. Prince Dube who started as the target man, is likely to be deployed on the right wing.
Douglas Mapfumo could start upfront with Walter Musona on the left wing in a three-man attack.
Nees is also likely to tinker the goalkeeping department. Washington Arubi who started against Kenya, spent the better part of yesterday's training on the sidelines. It was Marley Tavaziva and Benard Donovan who were mostly involved in the drills.
The Warriors new coach said he spent most of his time in Uganda analysing today's opponents and believes he has found the right formula to get a positive result.
He has been left impressed with the quality at his disposal which he said is good enough to beat the five-time African champions.
"The talent is not a problem, it's there already. The players show really good skills, but we need to display it on the pitch. We need to work together and develop it over a long period of time. We need to find the right balance between the local players and internationals to get the team going. We are on the right path, so far so good. The mood is good but we must not get carried away. Everybody needs to remain focused, and the closer we get to the game, everybody must be ready."
Asked how he is motivating his players so that they do not get intimidated by Cameroon, a side that boasts of world class players including Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, Andre Zambo Anguisa of Napoli, Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba of Brighton and Hove.
"Our players have already played against well-known players before from other teams. They played Nigeria last year and they have played good teams in the past so Cameroon is no reason to fear or feel intimidated."
After spending a week in camp with the team here in Kampala, Nees says the team is beginning to understand his philosophy.
"The players are getting more used to each other, how we train and what I expect from them. I'm also getting used to my staff and they are also getting used to me. For example, we did not discuss much on what to do on matchday one. They already know the routine that is required. We are getting very close in terms of bonding," Nees said.
Meanwhile, Cameroon arrive in the Uganda capital on Sunday morning amid chaos in camp as the Cameroon Football Association and the government fight for control of the squad.
Warriors probable XI
B Donovan, G Murwira, M Garananga, G Takwara, J Zemura, A Rinomhota, M Munetsi (c), K Billiat, W Musona, P Dube, D Mapfumo.
