WARRIORS' assistant coach Joey Antipas has challenged his band of locally based players to rise to the occasion when they face Botswana in an international friendly match at the University of Botswana this afternoon. Kickoff is 4.00pm.

Antipas admitted the team, which was hastily assembled after failing to secure the foreign-based contingent earlier in the week was not in the best shape but remained hopeful that they will give their counterparts a good run for their money.

Botswana are using the match as the last preparatory game for their maiden participation in the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea from January 21 to February 12.

"I think this is a massive challenge because Botswana are in top form but I believe as soldiers we have to give a fight.

"It's the first time in the national team for some of the guys in the squad but we have told them to go out there and do their best," said Antipas.

But Zimbabwe go into the match against a background of poor preparations and hostile travel arrangements, with signs of fatigue showing at yesterday's training session.

The players have been inactive since the end of November when the domestic Premiership ended and Antipas said they do not rule out the lack of match fitness.

The Warriors arrived in the early hours yesterday, around 2:30am after a gruelling 17-hour journey and had their only training session in the afternoon when the technical team gambled with the available resources to come up with the best eleven this afternoon.

This is one match the hosts have been looking forward to since it is their last preparatory game before they leave for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament next week.

"The most important thing is concentration and playing with the right state of mind because we know Botswana will be coming at us.

"We haven't had the best of preparations and emphasis will be on closing them down and then try to get them on the break," said Antipas.

The Zebras had anticipated a full strength Warriors team and coach Stanley Tshosane said their spirits have not been dampened after learning that their opponents are not bringing in the foreign-based contingent.

Botswana have been on the rise in recent times and most of their players are plying in the domestic Premiership with only a handful based in South Africa. Tshosane said he had most of his players fit with captain Mompathi Thuma having recovered after battling a hamstring injury.

But Pontsho Moloi of Mochudi Centre Chiefs is the only injury worry.

"Our preparations have been going on well and I am happy because all my players are fit and ready for Saturday's game except Pontsho Moloi, who is struggling with injury.

"We have a lot of respect for Zimbabwe so we expect a tough game since this is our last friendly game before we go to Gabon," said Tshosane.

The Zebras coach is expected to name his travelling squad after the Warriors game. Botswana have been camping in South Africa since last month and they hope their neighbours will give them a good run.