Sunday Marimo and his players have been promised huge bonuses

The Warriors play Eritrea on Saturday knowing that a maiden appearance at the African Nations Cup finals is within touching distance.

And President Robert Mugabe's embattled government has seized the opportunity and promised the players huge financial bonuses for the tie.

Politics has all but disappeared from the state media as the government has gone all out to promote football and urge the national team towards victory.

Special song

At least Z$100 million - just over US$1 million - has been promised to the 18-man squad if they beat Eritrea by five goals.

Controversial Information minister Jonathan Moyo has even composed a special song for the team.

Zimbabwe host the Eritreans knowing that they can qualify for their first ever Nations Cup finals as best runners-up even if they fail to win Group Six.

But if there are victories for group leaders Mali and for Sierra Leone, second in Group Seven, then Zimbabwe would need to win by a huge scoreline to qualify on goal difference.

We're aiming to create scoring chances. Sunday Marimo Zimbabwe coach

Although the Warriors do not quite hold their destiny in their own hands, they appear to have the advantage in the final round of qualifiers because they have a home while Mali travel to the Seychelles, who are notoriously hard to beat at home.

Coach Sunday Marimo must decide whether to focus on simply winning the match or to aim to virtually guarantee qualification by scoring five goals or more.

"It's a difficult one," said Marimo. "Our aim is to qualify and we're aiming to create scoring chances."