Since they last qualified for the 2006 Afcon in Egypt, the senior men’s national team has returned to its old tradition of flattering to deceive, posting embarrassing results both home and away.
As if failing to progress from seemingly easy groups in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the 2010 and the 2011 Afcon finals, was not enough, the Warriors have bombed out of the 2014 World Cup, after they lost even matches they should have easily won.
Chidzambgwa believes this can still be fixed, but only with enough commitment and if the correct dose is administered. He even offered to be part of the solution, although he remains banned from Zimbabwean football under the Asiagate scandal.
“Zimbabwe is my home and football is my life,” said arguably the country’s most successful coach, who is also former national team captain. “We need to bring experienced people to resurrect our football and map the best way forward in solving the crisis we find ourselves in. I don’t mind coaching the Warriors again, but first, we need to make the playing field conducive for success.
There are however, some difficulties that lie with ZIFA, who seem to have personal problems and hidden vendettas against other people and that creates problems for the nation.” He said the administrative deficiency, lack of sponsorship and a somewhat dearth of talent were some of the biggest hampering factors for the national team, which lacked proper facilities.
“The country also does not have quality defenders at the moment and very few of what we have can compete at the biggest stage,” added the experienced coach.
“We need to sort out the issue of our defence before we can move anywhere with our rebuilding exercise. We have many gifted midfielders, strikers and goalkeepers like Washington Arubi , Ariel Sibanda, Khama Billiat, Ovidy Karuru, Knowledge Musona, Cuthbert Malajila, Nyasha Mushekwi, Kingston Nkatha and many others that can give us a starting point.”
Post published in: Football