After a somewhat listless Gabon 2017 AFCON, the Warriora will look to really shake the rust off today, when they host COSAFA foe Zambia at the National Sports Stadium.

The friendly will be the final opportunity for Zimbabwe players and caretaker backroom staff to impress the ZIFA administration ahead of the crucial AFCON 2019 and CHAN 2018 qualifiers set to start shortly. It’ll also be a shot for Norman Mapeza who takes over Kallisto Pasuwa was sacked after AFCON 2017.

There’s plenty of history between the Warriors and the Chipolopolo boys, with the Zambians holding a 16-8-20 record against the Warriors in 44 matches going back to 1980. The two countries last met in another International friendly last year in November where Zimbabwe pulled off a 1-0 win.

The Zambian are not push overs, they are the AFCON champions for 2012 , but they still have plenty to play for in 2017. Zambia are prepping for this year’s CHAN qualifiers where they’ll look to go through in first round against Swaziland.

Like the Zimbabwe, Zambia don’t have any of their European-based players available for the match. They’ll lean heavily on Zambian league players with Sundowns’ Kennedy Mweene being the only foreign based player.

Zimbabwe on the other hand are looking to have continuity after a lengthy spell with coach Kalisto Pasuwa.