JOHANNESBURG - Zimbabwes senior national soccer team look set for another crash and burn episode in their bid to qualify for the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) and once again, it is ZIFA that looks to have spoiled their party.The national soccer controlling body, which should ensure that the Warriors have all the support they need to qualify, has, for the umpteenth time, made sure that they do not qualify.
Inadequate preparation and a questionable selection of the national teams coach have left the Warriors gasping for air in an otherwise favourable Group A, which includes Cape Verde, Mali and Liberia all lightweights in the modern continental game.
Soon after the draw last year, one of the countrys best defenders at the moment, Thomas Sweswe said, All the three teams drawn with us are tough, so it is not going to be an easy group since only one team will qualify.
Every game is going to be tough and all the teams are favourites, because they are strong and have quality players, especially Mali and Liberia, but we can still make it with enough preparation.
But enough preparation is what the Warriors have not had in each of the three matches they have fumbled so far, hence the two draws and a loss that have left Zimbabwe fighting to keep their heads above water. They are placed third in their group – five points off leaders Cape Verde.
Needless to say, the talent at Zimbabwes disposal has been wasted at this and other similar escapades in the past, some of it with no chance of ever being recovered. Players like Tinashe Nengomasha might not be around the next time Zimbabwe try it out in Africa.
A country like South Africa would kill to have a left-back like Onesimo Bhasera and the trio of Knowledge Musona, Nyasha Mushekwi and Cuthbert Malajila as their strikers, but with only one striker and a dearth of leftbacks, Bafana Bafana are leading their group and look poised for a smooth cruise to Equatorial Guinea/Gabon.
Perennial lightweights Botswana, who have neither a striker as good as Benjani Mwaruwari nor a holding midfielder as strong as Tinashe Nengomasha, have already sailed through in a tough group also featuring former World Cup competitors, Tunisia and Togo, while Zimbabwean stars face the prospects of watching their previous punching bags on television for the first time in the Afcon.
Reasons?
ZIFA bungled from the start, when they failed to pay the countrys most successful coach so far, Sunday Chidzambwa, and eventually lost him to South African teams.
The Norman Mapeza-Tom Saintfiet-Madinda Ndlovu-Norman Mapeza circus that followed only brought about a tragedy that will leave passionate Warriors followers with tears on their cheeks, as their beloved team misses out again on the continental soccer showpiece.
Even Mapezas appointment, which came against the wishes of some members of the ZIFA board, left many unanswered questions, with some Warriors supporters blaming it on some sections of the media, which campaigned for him.
The problem with our soccer is that we treat it as if it is gambling in a casino, where everything is left to chance or luck, fumed one Warriors supporter on Facebook, after Zimbabwe had lost 1-0 to Mali in their latest qualifying match.
The Warriors should lose all their upcoming matches because we have people who impose coaches on that team. Look at what Mapeza has managed to do. Seriously, did we think that Mapeza would be able to coach that team and win matches? He is not yet at that level. That guy has serious technical flaws and we should not gamble at this level by having him coach our team.
Things got even darker last week, when Mapeza admitted that qualification for the Afcon would depend on a miracle – a clear admission of failure on his part of the national team coach.
The way forward?
Zimbabwe should take advantage of its soccer personnel in neighbouring South Africa to lay the foundation for a stronger national team that can hold its own Botswana did that and they will be playing in Africa for the first time next year.
Not only does Zimbabwe have more than a full squad of players doing well in both the South African Premiership and lower divisions, but there are also coaches like Ian Gorowa, Pernell McKop, Charles Yohane, Wilfred and William Mugeyi, Chidzambwa, Philip Mbofana and Shepard Murape, who can help organise training camps for South Africa-based players every time the neighbouring country breaks for national team games.
McKop, who is the goalkeepers coach at ABSA Premiership side, Maritzburg United, recently said that he was open to assisting the national team national team coach where asked.
I have always been open to give an update on the form of Zimbabwean players here and help where needed with the national team, but maybe the authorities are speaking to other people here. I am only a phone call away to help, said McKop, who also stressed the need to include more foreign-based players in the team.
There is always a big argument about using local or foreign based players, but the experience gained playing in a top foreign league can only benefit the Warriors. Right now there is an influx of Zimbabwean players here in the SA Premier League and some of them are really quality players and need to play for the national team.
Post published in: Football