New Warriors coach Nees under pressure ahead of cr...

New Warriors coach Nees under pressure ahead of crucial qualifiers

Philemon Jambaya

Zim Now Editor

Michael Nees, the newly appointed coach of the Zimbabwe national football team, has acknowledged the limited time available to prepare the team for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya and Cameroon. The two matches, scheduled for next month in Uganda, will be crucial for Zimbabwe's hopes of qualifying for the continental tournament.

Nees, who was officially presented to the media after securing a work permit, expressed his determination to lead the Warriors to victory. However, he admitted that the appointment process had significantly impacted their preparation time. The challenge of working with a new set of assistant coaches and unfamiliar players within such a short timeframe is a major hurdle to overcome.

Zimbabwe's campaign will commence with a clash against Kenya in Kampala, Uganda, followed by a match against Cameroon, also in Kampala, due to the unavailability of a CAF-approved stadium in Zimbabwe.

"We need to embark on a good start," Nees told reporters in Harare. "We must play disciplined football with confidence and passion. If we apply that, then the rest will follow. I admit we are under pressure because we don't have time."

Nees emphasized the importance of efficient time management and effective communication with both the coaching staff and players. He expressed confidence in his ability to convey his message quickly and effectively, despite the limited time available.

The coach revealed that he has already conducted research on potential players for the squad and has engaged in conversations with some of them. Nees has also indicated his interest in assessing locally-based players as he finalizes his selection for the crucial Group J qualifiers.

He was selected for the role from over 300 applicants, acknowledging the rigorous and competitive process. Nees' inspiration to coach Zimbabwe stems from his previous experience with Seychelles, where he led the team against the Warriors at the National Sports Stadium.

"The first game in which I was in charge of Seychelles was in Zimbabwe and we played in the National Sports Stadium," he said. "We lost 3-1, but I said we can beat you in Seychelles."

"But when we played Zimbabwe I was impressed by the potential and the passion. There are not many countries where 60,000 people would come to watch their team play against the smallest team in Africa. That showed me that this is a real football country."

Nees expressed his desire to harness Zimbabwe's abundant footballing potential, emphasizing the need for unity and a positive mindset. He acknowledged the challenges faced by previous coaches but expressed his belief in the team's ability to reach their full potential with the right approach.

"We have good players in top leagues," Nees said. "We have good players. Sometimes challenges come from the mixture. We need the right people and the right strategy. We need to release energy and they can perform to their potential."