Although from the outset, the Warriors appear out of the run for a place at the 2014 World Cup finals following losses to Egypt and Guinea and the draw against Mozambique, Pagels is not taking any chances and has brought back Cuthbert Malajila to add sting to the offensive line after the team missed too many chances in the game against the Pharaohs in Alexandria.
“There are still three games left for each team and anything can happen. What we need to do is to win all our remaining games and see what happens thereafter,” said the German mentor.
Pagels’ desire for goals is evident in the huge number of strikers he has called for the two games including regular scorer Knowledge Musona, Roderick Mutuma, Simba Sithole, Matthew Rusike, Masimba Mambare, Nicholas Guyo, Silas Songani, and Khama Billiart.
Although he has not recalled Kaiser Chiefs’ combative midfielder, Willard Katsande, who has just won the league title and the Nedbank Cup with his South African club, Pagels has made sure he has the shape he requires in midfield with the call of Ovidy Karuru, Ronald Chitiyo, Archieford Gutu, Tafadzwa Rusike, Devon Chafa, and Denver Mukamba who captained the team in Alexandria.
For their impressive showing in the friendly matches against Zambia and Malawi, Felix Chindungwe and Eric Chipeta have been rewarded and will team up with Hardlife Zverekwi, Abbas Amidu, Lincoln Zvasiya, Ocean Mushure and Partson Jaure in making up the Warriors defensive wall.
Pagels says he has picked the best players that fit into his system of play.
The coach is under pressure to prove that his team’s impressive showing in the 2-1 away defeat to the Pharaohs on 26 March was no fluke but the real truth about his team’s overall strength.
Post published in: Football