Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
ENOUGH is enough!
WARRIORS’ coach Zdravko Logarusic has to be given his marching orders following a disappointing show in the ongoing World Cup qualifiers.
The national team has one point from a goalless draw against South Africa last Friday in a match they should have won had the coach got his tactics right.
Loga promised to fix the misfiring frontline in the next game against Ethiopia, but disaster struck when they conceded a last minute penalty that was converted to condemn the Warriors to the bottom of Group G where they’re likely to remain up to the end of these qualifiers.
The standard of football displayed by Warriors under Loga has been pathetic and left fans with more questions for the Zifa executive, which seems satisfied with his poor performance.
Since taking over the reins, Loga has won one match out of 14 outings, in what is unquestionable under-performance for any coach in every sphere of the game.
As it stands, Zimbabwe anchors Group G with South Africa topping the group on four points followed by Ghana and Ethiopia tied on three points, with the Warriors on one point from the drab draw against Bafana Bafana last Friday.
With just two games into the qualifiers the Warriors’ chances of advancing to the next stage of qualifiers already appear dashed, and the fans are not happy and want to see the back of Loga immediately.
Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters Association (ZNSSA) said there was no reason to keep the Croat as the Warriors are not getting the desired results.
“As national team supporters, we are angered by results from the World Cup qualifiers and I think it’s time to review the technical team. The fact that these coaches have won just one game from 14 matches raises a red flag that they’re not fit for purpose. We need a local coach and there are many that have proved themselves and were fired for no reason, yet Loga is given so many matches to continue embarrassing us,” said ZNSSA vice-chairman Marx Nkomo.
ZNSSA Southern Region secretary Trust Jim said: “Zifa continues to disappoint us and you expect sponsorship with this kind of administration. They hired a tourist to coach the Warriors and I wonder what criteria they use to select coaches. Why does Zifa hate local coaches when they have done better than foreigners? Loga must just fly directly to Croatia from Ethiopia and not return with the team. He is easily the worst coach to ever coach the Warriors.”
His sentiments were echoed by Khuluza Ndlovu, who said Loga’s contract must be terminated immediately.
“The man is clueless. We cannot have a team that does not score and expects to win. The coach must go,” said Ndlovu.
Another fan Eddington Mponda feels the Warriors’ problems go beyond just firing the coach.
“Yes, he has failed, but he is not the only one. We can’t continue chopping and changing coaches; Zifa is also to blame because of not providing friendly matches and adequate junior football development. When last did our national team play a friendly match so that the coach can work on combinations? We have to change both the national team coach and the Zifa leadership,” said Mponda.
Simon Nyoni, also a fan, said: “The coach is useless and the players are also rusty and did not show the commitment wanted at national team level.”
Online Reporter