Civo pitch still bumpy—Chimodzi

Flames assistant coach Young Chimodzi has said Civo Stadium pitch is still bumpy in the countdown to Saturday’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations decisive qualifier against Ghana.

The Flames started training at the match venue on Monday as they stepped up preparations for the Black Stars showdown.

“The pitch is still bumpy, but we have no other option other than adapt to the conditions.

“We have to try and make use of the time we have to get used to the pitch,” said Chimodzi on Tuesday.

Asked to comment on the level of fitness for the foreign-based players, the Flames legend said: “It is difficult to determine their level of fitness because they have only trained with us once.”

“Most of them only arrived yesterday [Monday] and they trained in the afternoon. So, we are likely to have a clear picture today [yesterday],” said Chimodzi.

Vice-captain Joseph ‘Shakira’ Kamwendo also said they are adapting to the conditions of the pitch.

“It is not all that bad and we have at least four more days to train on the pitch,” said Kamwendo.

The ever-optimistic Kamwendo also described the morale in camp as high.

“We are all in good spirits. We are two goals down, but we have switched our focus to the return leg.

“We are determined to turn the tables on Saturday, that is our aim,” he said.

The Flames lost the first leg 2-0 in Accra and need to win by a three-goal margin on Saturday to qualify for the continental showpiece.