Adam is worried by Zimbabwe's Nations Cup preparations

Zimbabwe team manager Rafiq Adam has expressed concern at the quality of the Warriors' preparations for their maiden Nations Cup finals next month.

A friendly against Central American minnows El Salvador scheduled for Sunday has been postponed to 4 January, while a warm-up against Tunisia on 17 January has been cancelled.

Zimbabwe began their final preparations with a friendly against Botswana last weekend, and many supporters are worried about the level of opposition that the Warriors are facing.

"The fans have a right to be concerned, as we - the technical staff of the national team - are also concerned," said Adam.

"We haven't been able to play the quality friendlies that we would have liked to, but hopefully we'll be able to be more serious in our preparations after the Christmas break."

Zimbabwe's opponents in Group C have played some big names in their build-up to Tunisia.

Defending champions Cameroon took on Japan in a friendly last month, Egypt have faced Sweden and Senegal while Algeria have played Burkina Faso.

"We must take a cue from them," Adam said.

"They are very experienced and it's our first time, but hopefully things will come into place one day."

With very few of the Warriors' foreign-based players expected to come into camp before 10 January, Zimbabwe coach Sunday Marimo has decided to delay the team's departure to Tunisia.

The Warriors will leave on 20 January, four days before the start of the tournament, so allowing Marimo more time to train the whole team together.

First he will guide his charges through a game against Zambia in Harare on 11 January, and there are also plans to organise a friendly at home to Kenya's Harambee Stars on 18 January.

Although most of the team's big names are yet to join Zimbabwe's ongoing training camp, Adam is pleased with the spirit among the locally-based players.

"I've never seen so much competitiveness. We're sometimes scared that someone will lose a leg with the tackles they're going into in training," he said.

"Everyone's fighting for a place in the team, and there's a lot of excitement and enthusiasm."