The Warriors need a good result against the Group G leaders, if they are to keep alive their dwindling hopes of reaching the next stage of the qualifiers. There has been speculation that Pagels (53) would move in to shore up a defence that looked thin in the recent 2-1 international friendly win over Botswana, but the German-born coach has ruled out any additions, arguing he would not have enough time to try new players before the tie.
“We will have only five days of camping before the game and there won’t be enough time to look at new players,” he said. “I will concentrate on the players we have already looked at and continue to work on the combinations.”
Appointed to take charge on an interim basis last December, the coach has shaded many experienced performers, while embracing an emerging generation of talented ball players. There have been concerns that Pagels’ team, while well-endowed offensively, could be vulnerable at the back.
He started with only three naturally defensive players against Botswana, in a rather strange formation. Moroka Swallows right-back Gilbert Mapemba was deployed as the sole central defender with Hardlife Zvirekwi on his right and Dynamos left-back Ocean Mushure completing the back three.
Zimbabwe started without a single defensive midfielder, with flair players, Archieford Gutu and Highlanders’ Peter Moyo shielding the defence and the Zebras frequently exposed the holes in the rearguard, only to be let down by poor finishing.
Few will be surprised if such a formation is picked apart time and again by the speedy and much more lethal North Africans.
Pagels insisted he had a balanced squad, saying: “I am happy with the payers we used against Botswana. The only problem was that we had been together for only two days.”
Zimbabwe sit second-bottom in Group G, with one point from two matches, while the “Pharaohs” are in pole position with a hundred percent record.
Post published in: Football