Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
WARRIORS coach Marian “Mario” Marinica is hoping to see an improved show when his charges play Qatar in an international friendly at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha this evening.
The game starts at 6:30pm.
It is Marinica’s second game in charge of Zimbabwe after seeing his boys lose 1-3 to Algeria in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, last Thursday.
It was a match the Warriors looked disoriented in the first 45 minutes as they struggled to implement the new “fast and very fast” type of play brought on by Marinica, but they did flow in the second half and dominated some key phases of the game.
And the Romanian gaffer, who seems to have a better profile compared to most of the foreign coaches that have been in charge of the Warriors, is keen to see his players showing significant improvement against The Maroons this evening.
Despite some speculation and unconfirmed reports of upheaval in the camp, ZIFA have since reassured the nation that all is well ahead of the Qatar match.
This is the final FIFA international break before the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco next month.
And the Qatar game offers the team the opportunity to adapt to the new playing style, with captain Marvelous Nakamba yesterday telling the nation that the team was focused.
“The guys are all in great shape. We are pushing each other. We tried well against Algeria and I think the purpose was to see and try to understand the philosophy of the coach,” said Nakamba.
“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.
“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 (against Qatar), but we are professionals. We try to give everything to the page for the nation and also not forgetting that we are preparing for the big tournament.”
Nakamba said these friendly matches came at a good time for the technical team to know where the team stands.
“I think the international break came at the perfect time, so I think we just have to keep on pushing each other.
“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 also now that’s why we’re trying to prepare to go and compete at the AFCON.”
Qatar are ranked over 100 places above the Warriors at 52nd in the world, and the Arabs play more like Algeria and one of Zimbabwe’s Group B partners at the AFCON, Egypt. The last time Zimbabwe played Egypt at the same stage was in 2019 when Divine Lunga caged Mohamed Salah.
The Mamelodi Sundowns left-back still carries the same determination, but said it all starts with stopping teams like Qatar this evening if they are to go to the AFCON with the same energy.
Lunga praised the new gaffer Marinica’s work ethic and philosophy.
“Yeah, I think since the beginning, we’ve been trying, like, because there’s a new coach, so we’re trying, the coach is trying to, like, bring the new things and so far so good,” said Lunga.
“I’m 100 percent 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.
“But we are going to try and match them in our game. We are seeking to win a game of this magnitude for our confidence levels heading into the AFCON.”
Qatar tactician Jelen Lupategui has picked predominantly local-based footballers to do duty in the Warriors duel.
