Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WHEN the Warriors finally resume the World Cup qualifiers and later the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco in December, there could yet be a new order in the senior national football team set-up.
This comes as the players who have been recalled for Warriors duty have vowed to do their best and prove their worth if thrown into the fray against Burkina Faso tomorrow and Niger on Tuesday.
Coach Michael Nees has opted to rest some of his stars who have endured long and absorbing seasons at their professional leagues and will look to integrate some back-up personnel during the Warriors’ sojourn to Casablanca, Morocco.
In many ways, these will not just be international friendly matches, if sentiments from Belgian-based Bill Antonio and Jonah Fabisch (Germany) are anything to go by.
Former Dynamos star Antonio was forced onto the sidelines for long periods after suffering an injury, which also blighted his career in Belgium.
Fabisch, son of former Warriors coach, the late Reinard Fabisch, has been in the wilderness for a long while.
His initial Warriors debut was a false start.
Nees, correctly, decided to give a break to regulars who include Marshal Munetsi, Andy Rinomhota, Tawanda Chirewa, Knowledge Musona, Divine Lunga, Jordan Zemura and skipper Marvelous Nakamba for varying reasons.
What Fabisch can bring to the table, if he comes to the party, is particularly interesting.
“In the past I have played as a box to box player and in the past season I played as a holding six. So, I would certainly say I can do both, a player who is both-footed and a player who likes to pass the ball and wants the ball,” said Fabisch.
If Fabisch can fit into that kind of player, you cannot bet against Nees pushing Munetsi to a more advanced role to support the main striker, at times banking on many options to cover the defence. These include Nakamba and Andy.
For Fabisch, the difficult part could be fitting into the team with so many new faces.
He spoke about his first day in training.
“There were a lot of one-versus-one, and it was quite interesting to play with the guys. The first session was really good and really fun,” he said.
“We arrived just yesterday . . . He (Nees) welcomed me and told me to play the way I play and I don’t have to do anything special . . . to bring in my strengths to the team, and I guess that was the same for everyone.
“That is to try to fit into the team and we will have to help each other as much as possible.”
For his part, Antonio saw a lot of familiar faces, and he will be aware this is a team gifted with so many wingers.
These include Tawanda Maswanhise, Khama Billiat, Walter Musona and those resting, Chirewa and Knowledge Musona.
While most of those can also play behind the striker or as a false nine, there is no secret they all enjoy their game coming from the wide areas.
Antonio believes the most important thing will be to try and get to understand the system and concentrate on the immediate games.
“It’s good to be back and I’m happy to be back,” Antonio said.
“I am enjoying every moment and it’s important to try and integrate with the team. There are a couple of new faces, some guys I know,” said Antonio.
“It’s the target of everyone to help the team . . . football is a collective sport and it is the target of everyone.
“I may have individual objectives, but it is the collective that comes first.”
There were also genuine fears that Antonion would not be the same player who dazzled for Dynamos and in his early days in Belgium after the winger suffered a horrific injury.
“When you have a long injury, it takes time to come back, but now I feel good, and it’s good to be back with the Warriors.
“When you see a coach call you, it means you have something to help the team.
“There are a lot of things that we can discuss . . . Zimbabwe we thrive on hard work. My message is simple . . . we, the guys have to show passion and be fearless and we will achieve great things,’’ added Antonio.
