Pagels has been confined to junior football for most of his life and upon arrival in Zimbabwe has been attached to the women’s team the Mighty Warriors but Wednesday sees himself in the glare of spotlight as he seeks to turn around the fortunes of a team that has failed to qualify for the past four editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.
While the game against the 2012 Nations Cup qualifiers is just a friendly match, for Pagels it represents a lot as he has to not only win but also that his team must put up a commanding show in order to win the hears of the success starved Zimbabwean soccer loving public.
It is a fact that it is the manner that his team plays Wednesday that will give the fans a rough idea of what to expect in future, and nothing more than a convincing or impressive display will satisfy the fans who have not tasted success for years.
Comparisons will also be drawn between the way Pagels’ team plays and that of fellow German countryman the late Reinhard Fabisch who between 1993 and 1994 took Zimbabwe to 13 unbeaten Africa Cup and World Cup qualifiers.
Pagels has raised spirits after boasting upon appointment that the World Cup dream is still on and with the match against the Zebras being played on a day set for friendly matches by Fifa, Pagels has all Zimbabwe’s top players at his disposal including German based Knowledge Musona and the new darling of Zimbabwean football Khama Billiart of Ajax Cape Town.
The coach has been bold enough by disposing of veterans such as Tinashe Nengomasha, Onismo Bhasera, Vusa Nyoni, Noel Kaseke, and Esrom Nyandoro in favour of bringing back the likes of Tafadzwa and Mathew Rusike, Simba Sithole and a host of other youngsters.
He also has reigning Zimbabwe soccer star of the year Denver Mukamba, and Sweden based Archierford Gutu to bank on in midfield.
That should give Pagels an all round team against the Zebras who have on their part also brought the best team available in their country.
With the game on the Fifa calendar, Pagels also has the chance to lift Zimbabwe up on the Fifa World Rankings. That should give him some form of recognition should that happen.
Post published in: Football