Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo – Zimpapers Sports Hub
WARRIORS coach Marian “Super Mario” Marinica goes head-to-head with Jelen Lupategui – a man whose CV shows he has guided the Spanish national team and Real Madrid.
Super Mario will be taking charge of his second match when the Warriors battle 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar in Doha this evening.
The friendly international starts at 6,30 pm.
Super Mario started his tenure as Warriors coach with a 1-3 defeat at the hands of Algeria in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
Now, he faces a man who has won Euro titles with the Spanish Under-19 and Under-21 teams and has guided Real Madrid, Sevilla, Porto, Wolves and West Ham.
The 59-year-old Lupategiu won the Europa League with Sevilla in 2020.
He was fired from his job as the Spain national team coach on the eve of the 2018 World Cup after revelations that he had committed himself to joining Real Madrid after the tournament.
Super Mario’s men froze in the first half in Jeddah as they tried to settle into his “fast and very fast” system.
They came alive after the break and even bossed stretches of the game.
The Romanian wants that version of the Warriors from the first whistle.
He knows the noise swirling around him online. He knows some fans doubt the new style.
But ZIFA have hit back, insisting the camp is calm and the players are buzzing ahead of their final big test before AFCON.
Skipper Marvelous Nakamba says the squad is focused.
“The guys are all in great shape. We are pushing each other,” he said.
“We tried against Algeria and I think the purpose was to see and try to understand the philosophy of the coach.
“The coach is really good and is always trying to push us to put in the work. I am happy the players are adjusting very well.”
Nakamba says tonight is not for passengers.
“I think so far, we are professionals and I think we know what we have to do.
“We just have to keep on pushing each other because these are the games. Of course, it’s a friendly game but we are professionals. We try to give everything to the page for the nation.
“I think the international break came at the perfect time. The results have not been coming but I think we’ve been trying. It’s part of the game.
“That’s why we qualified and that’s why we’re trying to prepare to go and compete at the AFCON.”
Qatar sit 52nd in the world.
They play with the same sharp, organised style as Algeria and Egypt, one of Zimbabwe’s AFCON group opponents.
Divine Lunga knows the level required.
“Since the beginning, we’ve been trying because there’s a new coach,” said Lunga.
“The coach is trying to bring the new things and so far so good. I’m 100% confident that we will get through this. I believe that we will get through this.
“As players we are always trying to encourage each other and be the team the coach wants to see. Qatar is a tricky customer.
“They have qualified for the World Cup and that says a lot about their team. They are ranked 52nd in the world and it tells you a huge story about what they can do.”
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