Can Mlauzi pull off the impossible?

Raymond Jaravaza
THE biblical David slayed Goliath and the story has been used since time immemorial to inspire human beings to rise against all odds to conquer their fears and challenges.

Zimbabweaï¿½ï¿½s own David aï¿½ï¿½ is in the form of Mighty Warriors coach Shadreck Mlauzi, a teacher at Sikhulile High School in Bulawayo.

Squaring off against the three world renowned coaches does not give him sleepless nights.

aï¿½?Iaï¿½ï¿½m not concerned about the history of the coaches or the trophies they have won in the past. We are going to Brazil to compete and not make up numbers. What matters is who will make the best tactical decisions to win matches,aï¿½? said Mlauzi.

B-Metro Sport takes a closer look at the two men and woman Mlauzi will try to outmanoeuvre in Brazil when Zimbabwe play Germany, Canada and Australia in the group stages of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The Mighty Warriors open their campaign against Germany at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo on 3 August.

John Herdman, the head coach of the Canadian womenaï¿½ï¿½s soccer team, has an impressive record that includes winning a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London and a gold medal at the 2011 Pan Am Games in Mexico. He was a nominee of both the 2012 and 2015 Fifa coach of the year.

Australia on the other hand is coached by Alen Stajcic who was rewarded by the countryaï¿½ï¿½s football bosses with a lucrative new four-year contract after securing a berth at the 2016 Olympic Games.

Stajcic was described as a aï¿½?coach who honed his skills in Australia and shows a huge personal and professional commitment to lead Australia against the worldaï¿½ï¿½s bestaï¿½?.

With eleven years experience at the highest level Germany female coach Silvia Neid won the World Cup in 2007 as well as two European Championships in 2009 and 2013.

She is a two-time Fifa World Coach-of-the-Year.