Behave or else . . !

Gutu to embrace the values of discipline and the spirit of Fair Play if they are to fulfil the immense potential they have shown this season.
Phiri’s call came in the wake of Zifa’s declaration yesterday that they were ready to stem acts of indiscipline that have marred trips by representative Zimbabwean teams in the Champions League and All-Africa Games’ qualifiers in recent weeks.
Gutu was sent off twice, in two successive away matches, with the first expulsion coming while playing for Dynamos in Algeria while the second came while representing the Young Warriors in Botswana.
Mukamba, another emerging star with a temper to match his talent, was also sent off in the match in Botswana and repeatedly swore at Swazi referee Pritchard Nhleko as he refused to leave the pitch.
There have been concerns that the Dynamos duo could be losing the plot as they buckle under the pressure of playing for both club and country.
Phiri, a star in his own right while playing for CAPS United and the Warriors in the ‘80s, said the young midfielders needed to calm down and remember the values of discipline.
“Football is a contact game and some times emotions boil to the point that one can lose control,” said Phiri.
“It then requires individual mental strength and, when it happens to the extent that one gets a red card, it shows that the player as an individual is failing and would need to work on that.
“In the case of our players, I think they are still young and they are lacking maturity.
“They have the character as footballers but they have to learn to handle some of these difficult game situations.”
The Young Warriors’ coach said there was a danger that the dynamic duo could earn a reputation as indisciplined players and this could influence referees to act against them.
“Sometimes you end up playing into the hands of the referees, especially when playing away,” said Phiri.
“If you look at it, we were prone to numerous unnecessary bookings by the referee and I had suspected that something was amiss with the way he handled the match.
“Now it doesn’t reflect well, especially for Archie, because he was expelled again two weeks ago when Dynamos played MC Alger.
“Now it appears like he is a rude boy with some sort of disciplinary problems when in fact he is not like that.
“Actually he is a good young fellow with a good character and a promising future.”
Phiri was not so sure why his players were expelled.
“I am not sure if Archie deserved the red card because it appears there was no contact with the goalkeeper on that particular incident,” said Phiri.
“But for Denver I cannot tell what actually happened, and I can only suspect there was a bad exchange of words with the referee.”
Yesterday Zifa chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze said his association was concerned about the indiscipline creeping into representative Zimbabwean athletes and they were engaging the Referees Committee as part of the first step of addressing the issue. Young Warriors team manager Wellington Mpandare was also given his marching orders from Zimbabwe’s technical bench in Botswana.
“We don’t encourage the behaviour which is being shown by our players in international matches. Players should know that the referee’s decision is final and should respect that,” said Mashingaidze.
“If there is need to register displeasure they know it should be done in an appropriate manner and not by taking the law into their hands.
“We know players are also humans and have emotions but we encourage them to exercise self restraint because it is all part of the game.
“It is quite disturbing when this behaviour is displayed at a youth tournament and that’s what makes us worried.”
Mashingaidze wants Zifa vice-president Kenny Marange’s Referees’ Committee to engage local teams and help them understand and appreciate the laws of the game.
“The committee is the right portfolio to deal with these matters but as the mother body we will offer supporting systems because every year we have teams competing in the Champions league while junior tournaments come up at any time,” said Mashingaidze.
DeMbare’s indiscipline during their controversial Champions League loss to MC Alger was scheduled to be discussed at the Caf disciplinary committee meeting in Johannesburg yesterday amid signs that the Harare giants could be punished.
Central defender Guthrie Zhokinyi was also sent off in that match while there were seven yellow cards for the Glamour Boys.
Yesterday Caf sent a secret message to the Dynamos family, confirming that the result of that match will stand, by going at length to discuss the second round tie between MC Alger and Interclube of Angola, scheduled for Luanda this Saturday, on its official website.
If the match was hanging in the balance, the Caf officials would not have used their official website to do a preview of that contest.
The Herald revealed last week that contrary to expectations within some circles, a review of the Dynamos/MC Alger match would not result in the result being overturned but could, instead, leave Dynamos facing sanctions.
Yesterday Caf used their official website to publish Interclube coach Jose Arsenio Túbia’s views about Saturday’s match against MC Alger.

“We want to make it to the group stage, because we believe that we areable to do so. For that to happen, we are working hard and although we don’t a have fully fit squad, and there will be some absentees, we are ready for this match,” said Arsénio Túbia.
“From the moment we entered this competition, we did not think of anything else other than the League African Champions Clubs’ Cup. Because of this, we are prepared to face any opponents on the continent.
“We have a good squad and we are more motivated because their player Minguito, one of the most influential midfielder in Angolan league (Girabola) is back for this match and that is a major boost.
“When you play at home, we have the responsibility to win. And being African competition, the mentality of everyone should be crafted so that the public is with the club and the players and help them win at home.
“We want to party on Saturday and we all want to win.”
Cafonline also spoke to Interclube captain, Pedro Henriques who said morale was very high in his team.
“Interclube is well prepared and confident for a comfortable win. But we can not commit fatal errors because the Algerians are dangerous and skilled in taking advantage and playing on the opponent’s error, ” said Henriques.
“We are counting on all our players available and fit and we will fight until to the end. Right now, nobody thinks of anything else other than a win. Admission to the match is free because we need the support of the public.
“Even without defensive midfielder Nary, who won a silver medal with national team at CHAN in Sudan, the group is trying to overcome difficulties and still aim to achieve our objectives.
“We know that in Africa there are no easy opponents. Nowadays, everyone is fighting for the same goals, so that any team is able to reach the final, provided there is a serious commitment, increased investment, dedication and sacrifice a team can go far in this competition.”3