Mighty Warriors head coach Stella Gotal says tactical discipline will be central to Zimbabwe’s approach when they face Malawi in the Los Angeles Olympic Games qualifiers on October 9 and 13.
With players arriving from different clubs and football environments, Gotal has used the training camp to establish a unified playing identity ahead of the crucial two-legged tie.
“Players come from different continents, from different countries, from different clubs and different methodologies,” Gotal said.
Rather than focusing on individual club approaches, the coach says the Mighty Warriors are concentrating on how they want to function as a team in different phases of the game.
“What we try to focus on is our style of play and how we want our team to behave when we are in ball possession, but also when we are out of ball possession,” she said.
Gotal highlighted transitions as one of the key areas being addressed in camp, with the team working on moving effectively between defence and attack.
“How we would like to do transitions from defence to attack, from attack to defence,” she said.
Set pieces have also formed part of the preparations as Zimbabwe look to cover every possible avenue of threat and opportunity across the two matches.
“We worked on set pieces because we want to prepare for these two matches in the best possible way. Somehow we would like to be ready for anything,” Gotal said.
The coach believes the team is building momentum, with all the players now in camp and the mood inside the squad described as positive.
“All players arrived, the preparations are going well,” she said.
“So far, the atmosphere in the team is amazing. Motivated, the atmosphere is positive, everyone is happy, everyone is excited.”
The Mighty Warriors will face Malawi away on October 9 before hosting the return leg at the National Sports Stadium in Harare on October 13 at 3pm.
Gotal has urged supporters to turn up in numbers for the home fixture as Zimbabwe look to make their home advantage count.
“Definitely come to our home here at the National Stadium for the second match,” she said.
Players now in camp:
1. Cynthia Shonga
2. Vanessa Lunga
3. Delight Matigwene
4. Tanyaradzwa Nyakuchena
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