Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
WARRIORS head coach Marian Marinica remains confident his side can still progress from the group stage at the Africa Cup of Nations, despite a narrow 2-1 defeat to seven-time champions Egypt in their tournament opener on Monday.
Marinica said the Warriors largely executed their tactical plan and matched their more illustrious opponents for long spells, only to be undone by Egypt’s superior individual quality.
“We played a good match. We started well and the players stuck to the game plan we had prepared, But the quality of the Egyptian players made the difference. It is disappointing to lose a match like that.”
Zimbabwe showed composure and discipline in the early stages, demonstrating a level of organisation that suggested careful preparation. However, moments of individual brilliance from Egypt ultimately tilted the contest in their favour.
Despite the setback, the Warriors coach expressed pride in his players’ performance and insisted the team remains firmly focused on qualification.
“We are proud of our players. We must stay the course, and we will aim to get at least four points from the next two matches to qualify,” he said.
The Warriors have since returned to Marrakech, where they will face Angola on Friday in a match that now carries significant weight for their tournament ambitions.
The Warriors are aiming to progress beyond the group stages for the first time after five previous AFCON appearances ended at the initial hurdle.
