Warriors on right path despite Botswana defeat, co...

Warriors on right path despite Botswana defeat, coaches and supporters say

Patience Muchemwa

Most coaches and football followers support Warriors coach Baltemar Brito’s team selection criteria saying it was the best the gaffer could do given that the team was on an international ban for two years.

This comes as the Zimbabwe national men’s senior soccer team lost 3-4 on penalties to the Borswana Zebras in a ceremonial match to mark that country’s independence on Sunday.

However, soccer fans believe the match was part of the Warriors’ preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup Qualifiers.

Zim Now spoke to some coaches and supporters to glean their views on the future of the Warriors.

Harare City Football Club assistant coach, Kervin Togaraseyi said for a start, the team is still fine.

“From my own point of view, the future is bright considering we were absent from international football. We have a good number of foreign-based players, who are playing week in, week out which is good for us and when we brand them with our locals, we can build a very strong squad.

“So far so good because if we look at the players who were selected, they are the best that we have around. I, however, feel pity for one player, Emmanuel Jalai, the Dynamos right back who played all Dynamos games, meaning he is 120% fit. Unfortunately, he did not travel with the Warriors to Botswana.

“For a start, l have not seen any problem. We had to start from somewhere,” Togaraseyi told Zim Now.

A die-hard Warriors fan, Vonayi Mhiti praised the team saying there is bright light ahead for the Warriors, they now only need to combine with the international players.

“The Warriors team is good they just need to combine well since they are not used to playing together. Their future is bright, they only need time to train together trying to build up on combinations. The coach must bring back quality players the likes of Tino Kadewere, Marshall Munetsi, Marvelous Nakamba and Jordan Zemura who have got experience. In fact, they are talented. If he does so, I think nothing can stop us from proceed even to the World Cup,” Mhiti told Zim Now.

She added: “Yes, the team is good but the coach must include seasoned players. I don’t know the whereabouts of Khama Billiat and Kudakwashe Mahachi. Those players might raise our flag high. Anyway, the coach decides and we watch.”

Wellington Muchemwa, who follows Warriors matches closely, said the team played very well, considering that they were not in good shape because they got a new coach. They have to adapt to new skills and also they didn’t have enough time to prepare for the match. So, he concluded that the Warriors played well against Botswana, a team that was in some international competition already.

He praised the team and the coach saying the team is very promising.

Former Mighty Warriors Under 17 and Under 15 and Cyclone Stars FC coach, Prosper Manzungu said the team played very well but it’s difficult to give them a percentage because some of the stars based outside the country were not included.

He added: “The selection criteria was good given that the coach on dwelt locally-based players but there were some queries such as the tournament that was there, which forced the coaches to cut down on the number of players. There is a national rule that says if a team has three players called up for national duty then you may not play,” Manzungu told Zim Now.