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Bruce Chikuni
Sports Reporter
WARRIORS rising star, Tawanda Chirewa, may be a doubt for Zimbabwe’s next 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying assignment after straying off the disciplinary line that has been drawn by new coach Michael Nees.
Chirewa was not amused with the German coach’s decision to substitute him during the Warriors’ opening Group J qualifier against Kenya at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala. The Warriors will next month face COSAFA rivals Namibia in back-to-back clashes on October 11 and 15 with the games likely to be both staged in South Africa if the trend by the ZIFA Normalisation Committee and the Nambian Football Association is anything to go by.
But as they reflect on their first two games under Nees, the Warriors technical crew and the Normalisation Committee are reportedly not amused with Chirewa’s conduct.
According to reports from within the Warriors dressing room, Chirewa seemed to have gone overboard in questioning the coach’s decision to take him off in the 58th minute of the senior team’s goalless draw against Kenya.
Sources within the Warriors technical team and the ZIFA Normalisation Committee, said Chirewa currently on loan to Derby County from English Premiership side Wolves, expressed disbelief with Nees’ decision to haul him and the German expatriate took exception to the player’s conduct.
An ugly exchange of words is said to have then ensued.
Chirewa declined to speak with local journalists on the eve of the Warriors’ game against Cameroon on Tuesday which also ended 0-0.
He, however, came on as a late substitute, replacing Walter Musona in the 86th minute, amid speculation over the fallout with Nees. Chirewa’s exclusion from the team that started against Cameroon was the only change that Nees made to the Warriors side he threw into battle against Kenya.
Nees chose Polokwane City man Douglas Mapfumo to partner Prince Dube, Khama Billiat, and Musona in Zimbabwe’s attacking line, a formidable combination that made Chirewa’s absence less noticeable.
The sources said the ZIFA authorities were in doubt about Chirewa’s importance to the Warriors’ cause but wanted him to respect the coach’s decisions.
“Chirewa is a talented player, but he must learn to respect the coach’s decisions and be a team player.
“His behaviour after being substituted against Kenya was unacceptable and we hope someone will remind him of the importance of maintaining a cool head, as the coach is always the boss.”
During Tuesday night’s game, Warriors assistant coach Takesure Chiragwi was seen trying to convince Chirewa to warm-up in preparation for coming but the midfielder appeared disinterested before eventually being sent on for the final four minutes.
It reportedly also took the intervention of his teammates to persuade Chirewa.
Despite his clash with the coach, many people feel Chirewa is one of the Warriors’ brightest prospects, expected to lead a new generation of national team players.
He announced his arrival on the Warriors with a fine show against South Africa in June.
However, his disagreement with Nees has put a damper on his relations with the coach and his lieutenants and their differences would need to be ironed out before next month’s assignments.
Group J fixtures:
October 11:
Namibia v Zimbabwe
Cameroon v Kenya
October 15:
Zimbabwe v Namibia
Kenya v Cameroon
Online Reporter