The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube Sports Correspondent—
| CELEBRATED soccer pundits and formers soccer stars have expressed concern over the Warriors’ chaotic preparations ahead of the forthcoming African Cup of Nations soccer tournament to be held in Gabon in January. |
After a lengthy 10-year absence from the continental soccer fiesta, the Warriors, who will play in Group B, will face continental heavyweights, Algeria, Senegal and Tunisia in a group many have termed: “Group of Death”.
The Warriors are still to troop into camp, yet the tournament commences on January 14.
People interviewed said Zimbabwe Football Association should expect baptism of fire, exactly the way the Mighty Warriors fared at the just-ended 2016 African Women Championship if they don’t start preparing for the contest.
Apparently, Mighty Warriors were victims of poor preparations after the played just two international friendly matches against South Africa and Egypt. At the tournament, they failed to score even a single goal.
Former Caps United prolific striker, Alois Bunjira, said the Warriors were now perennial underachievers thanks to ZIFA who do not take such prestigious competitions seriously.
“That is ZIFA’s perennial weakness. That is what they always do. They do not take the Warriors preparations seriously and that is the main reason why the team struggles on the continental arena. Even stakeholders who will be willing to come on board and partner ZIFA will not want to be associated with such a chaotic situation. They don’t come in where there is chaos. They put their money where they benefit,” he said.
Former Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United star, Stewart Murisa said: “Although I guess most teams have not yet started camping, we really need proper preparations. That is a big stage for African football. It disturbs the coach’s programme and plan. It is a pity, yet it is becoming a norm. This makes life difficult for the coach to assess his players.”
Mutare City Rovers head coach, Taku Shariwa, said the best way to tackle the Warriors preparations was to accept reality (that ZIFA is cash strapped) and improvise.
“ZIFA is cash strapped and struggling to deal with huge debts which means that they cannot find adequate resources to fully fund the preparations. Although it is a difficult situation to deal with, we have to improvise. In such circumstances, physical preparations are not very necessary, but tactical aspects of it. It is fortunate that almost all players are actively playing in their respective leagues, so it is advisable for Pasuwa to work on tactics when the players get into camp. He already has some combinations since the Warriors have been playing together for some time now,” said the young gaffer.
Mutare City Rovers team manager, Lyndon Kanyemba, said the slow pace by ZIFA in preparing for the prestigious tournament was worrying.
“Their lack of seriousness is worrying. There are currently putting more energy on the issue of automatic promotion
and play-off standoff with Premier Soccer League, yet national pride is at stake through the Warriors’ participation in Gabon. Although Zimbabwe has the potential to pull a surprise, there is need for ZIFA to source for sponsorship from stakeholders to foot the preparations. Even though we have a pool of talented players like Khama Billiat, Knowledge Musona, Costa Nhamoinesu, Nyasha Mushekwi and captain, Willard Katsande, with poor preparations nothing will materialise. Attention should be paid to the players’ physical and mental well-being, combinations and tactics which can be done through camping,” said Kanyemba.
ZIFA president, Philip Chiyangwa is on record saying a number of friendly matches were lined up for the Warriors ahead of the tournament.
Recently, perennial continental powerhouse, Cameroon, confirmed an international friendly in Yaounde against Zimbabwe as part of preparations for the fiesta for both teams.
