Story by Mthokozisi Dube
THE Zimbabwe Senior Men football team, the Warriors, have shifted base to Qatar for the second friendly match in preparation for the continent’s pinnacle sporting fiesta, the Africa Cup of Nations, set for Morocco in December.
The Warriors, who arrived in Qatar from Saudi Arabia this Saturday, had their first session in the Asian country in preparation for the second friendly against the hosts on Monday.
Zimbabwe had all its players who were in camp in Saudi Arabia, save for forward Tawanda Chirewa, who was granted permission to join his club, Wolves, in England. There have been widespread reports on social media of tensions in camp over the coach’s no‑nonsense approach, however, ZIFA has moved swiftly to quell those rumours and stand with the coach.
With a good choice of opponents to gauge their readiness for the Africa Cup of Nations finals, the Warriors were exposed to the realities of the beautiful game, which means more needs to be done for them to be counted among the big boys of Africa.
The 3‑1 defeat against powerhouse Algeria was no fluke but a wake‑up call with less than a month before the biggest sporting showpiece.
The new gaffer, Marian Mario Marinica, had his work cut out, and he knows he has to deliver to remain in good books with the powers at ZIFA; hence, he is demanding more from players representing the badge.
The Warriors, who are making a sixth appearance at AFCON, are seeded in Group B, perceived to be a group of death pitting Egypt, South Africa, and Angola.
History is against the Warriors, who have yet to go past the group stage of Africa’s pinnacle competition.
