Dibango remains defiant

Petros Kausiyo Deputy Sports Editor
IAN “DIBANGO’’ GOROWA remains a defiant man, insisting that his Warriors could still qualify for the African Nations Championships finals because they play with better conviction away from the pressure of their home fans. The Warriors were held 0-0 at home by Zambia and must now force a scoring draw or win in the reverse tie at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Saturday.

Gorowa has since taking over as Warriors coach watched his team play two draws at home in this CHAN campaign.

In his first game in charge, Gorowa got off to a flyer with a 3-0 triumph over Mauritius in Curepipe, but the Warriors could not repeat that feat at Rufaro in the reverse fixture which ended 1-1. The Warriors also struggled with their game against Zambia, creating a few chances as they failed to find a way past Chipolopolo goalkeeper Danny Munyau.

It is the manner in which the Warriors applied themselves against Chipolopolo at Rufaro that has left them facing what seems Mission Impossible in Ndola.
But their coach was seeing things differently yesterday and remained upbeat about his team’s chances.

Gorowa said he had spoken with his players at length, a day after their game against Zambia, and was happy to note that his charges were not dropping their heads despite failing to win at home.

The 41-year-old coach believes that with better precision and more conviction the Warriors could upstage Chipolopolo in Ndola.
Gorowa said he had noticed that in both games against Mauritius and Zambia, the Warriors had struggled under the weight of expectation from their home fans.

“We had a meeting with the players on Monday and after speaking at length, I think everybody is confident that we can do it.
“In my mind, I am not in doubt that the guys put up a fight and it is a pity that they just could not score.

“They felt under pressure, but to their credit, they did not concede a goal,’’ Gorowa said.
The Warriors coach argued that the tide of pressure would now swing against Zambia, who must play well before their home fans.

“Zambia, it must be remembered, did not score as well and they will be under pressure to score in order to win.
“So, we have to make sure we unsettle them by scoring first so it is not as easy for Zambia as everybody might think’’.

Gorowa felt that the Warriors had learnt some lessons from the Cosafa Cup final against Chipolopolo in Ndola on July 20, which they could use to their advantage in the CHAN decider.

“When we went to Zambia for the Cosafa Cup these guys got a chance to experience the atmosphere at Levy Mwanawasa in the final and now they know what goes on there, it is not like they are going to a strange place’’.

Gorowa said although Zambia were solid, especially at the back, he had also noted that “they can be beaten’’ and revealed that he had detected some weaknesses about Chipolopolo which they hope to capitalise on in the reverse fixture.

The former Moroka Swallows coach also threw up a challenge on his players to show that they deserve a place at the CHAN finals scheduled for South Africa next January.

“I think it takes a lot in terms of character and attitude to win in international football. You cannot be a Warrior for nothing otherwise we should take away that Warriors’ tag.

“We have to give it all we have got.
“Of course, Zambians are very solid, they put up a solid show and we have to give credit to them, but I think we are capable of doing that too.

“I think now we know each other very well as teams because we have played against each other for a number of times in a short space of time’’.
Gorowa also refused to believe that the Warriors’ failure to win at home had left him under immense pressure insisting that it was normal business for him.

“There have been some who believe that we are definitely out, but somehow I just feel so confident and if it is as good as dead for us, then we might as well stay in Harare, but I am positive we will score a first in Zambia.

“I am not under any pressure either . . . I have been in these situations before, when you are into coaching you get into these situations, but you just have to focus on your job.

“It’s a long-term project and we have to build for the 2015 African Cup of Nations, but I also understand that the nation wants instant results and that is what we are trying to achieve as well in these CHAN qualifiers.

“I still believe that we are on the right track and we have a good bunch of players even though there is always room for improvement.
“But as a coach, I will shield the pressure from my players and I know that opinions differ about me and my team, some of them are very negative, some positive, but we have to give ourselves a chance and, hopefully, we will do well’’.

Gorowa said although the Zambian fans were passionate about their team, the Warriors could silence them if they avoid conceding an early goal in Ndola and instead, score first.

“Playing at home has its own pressures and I think Zambia will experience what we experienced at Rufaro.
“By the way, I don’t blame the crowd, I understand where they are coming from because they want results and these players have to learn to play under those conditions, where some of the fans are booing you because that is what you find at international level.

“In the Cosafa final, these boys did well but they were unfortunate to concede a goal after just three minutes and that made it difficult for them so we have to be solid and frustrate the Zambians,’’ Gorowa said.