Zimbabwe national team head coach Michael Nees says the team is wary of a tough Harambee Stars side, as the two sides gear up for a crucial qualifier for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday night.

Zimbabwe only need a point to earn a spot in the Cup of Nations, and coach Nees says they know it will not be an easy task when they go out against the Harambee Stars.

“We have done our analysis work on the Kenyan team and evaluated them. They are a very good team and very stubborn. This is a team with very good quality with players who play across the world and very confident. We also know that they have their confidence shaken because of the two defeats to Cameroon, but they are a team capable of bouncing back,” the tactician said, speaking ahead of the game.

The two sides met in the first leg in Kampala, Uganda, the game ending in a barren draw. In the Group J standings, Zimbabwe are on eight points while Kenya is on four. For qualification, a draw will keep the four point gap between the two sides with a match to spare, and hand the Zimbabweans a spot at next year’s AFCON.

Victory for Kenya means the spot will be decided on the final day of qualification next week, where Kenya must beat Namibia and hope Zimbabwe lose to Cameroon for them to sneak in.

Nees however is not taking chances as he knows they have a good chance now, and does not want to take the pressure to the final day. He is determined to take the side to the AFCON, in his very first assignment in charge.

“Everyone knows what is at stake and this is an important game for us because we are in a good position to qualify. We know how football is unpredictable and we have to approach this match with caution. But I am confident that with a good performance, we can get a positive result,” the tactician added.

Nees remains confident that Zimbabwe is in great shape for not just a point, but a win.

“The team is in good spirits and we are confident. We can look positively towards the game with a lot of self belief in our own abilities,” the tactician added.