SOME members of the history-making Warriors team that clinched Zimbabwe’s maiden ticket to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in 2004 believe the team can progress beyond group stages at next year’s competition if ZIFA puts its house in order.

They emphasised the need for transparency in player selection.

The Warriors were on Tuesday handed a fair draw when they were pooled with Group B seeds — Senegal, Malawi and Guinea.

Having been postponed due to Covid-19, the tournament has now been set for Cameroon from January 9 to February 6, 2022.

Since making their debut in Tunisia in 2004, the Warriors have failed to progress beyond the group stage.

However, there is growing belief skipper Knowledge Musona and his Class of 2021 can finally clear that hurdle in Cameroon.

The Warriors have a talented cast of players who include Aston Villa’s Marvelous Nakamba, Tino Kadewere (Olympic Lyon), Marshal Munetsi (Reims), Teenage Hadebe (Houston Dynamo), Khama Billiat (Kaizer Chiefs), Prince Dube (Azam) and Musona, who is now plying his trade in Saudi Arabia.

Most local fans view 2019 finalists Senegal as the biggest threat to Zimbabwe’s Group B quest.

Guinea have been inconsistent over the years, while COSAFA rivals Malawi are considered fair game.

Former Warriors defender George Mbwando feels the national team has another big challenge.

“The only difficult opponent in our group is ZIFA,” quipped the Germany-based Mbwando.

ZIFA have notoriously come short each time they prepare national teams for major events.

Three years ago, their bungling at AFCON finals in Egypt forced the Warriors to go on strike on the eve of the African football showpiece.

The team eventually bowed out with just a point. Next year, they will open their campaign with a date against Senegal on January 10.

They will then play Malawi on January 14 before facing Guinea four days later.

Transparency in player selection has also come under the spotlight, as there were allegations that some players paid their way into the team.

“The rumours that have been doing rounds about players paying money to be in the team may be true because we have been hearing that for a long time now.

“If the coaches are not the ones picking the team (as alleged), so what’s the use of the coaches . . .

“The problem is there is no transparency in anything, so nothing will come out if there is no order,” said Mbwando, who was part of the historic Warriors squad that made a maiden appearance in 2004 under Sunday “Mhofu” Chidzambwa.

Some believe coach Zdravko “Loga” Logarusic is still being influenced to select certain players.- The Sunday Mail