Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda, Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER Zimbabwe coach Wieslaw Grabowski has been impressed by the Warriors renewed vigour under Romanian gaffer, Marian Marinica.
Grabowski watched Zimbabwe’s opening game against Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations finals and was surprised with the Warriors’ performance, despite the 2-1 loss.
Zimbabwe led the Pharaohs for 64 minutes, courtesy of a fantastic strike by Prince Dube, before English Premier League players Omar Marmoush and Mohamed Salah won the game for the Pharaohs.
Salah scored in stoppage time, when many Zimbabwean fans were already celebrating what would have been a crucial draw.
Warriors coach Marinica surprised many with his starting line up, which included previously marginalised players like reigning Soccer Star of the Year , Washington Navaya and Daniel Msendami.
German based Jonah Fabisch also started and stood tall in the centre of the park.
Veteran goalkeeper Washington Arubi made six crucial saves against Egypt.
The Warriors’ gallant show charmed Grabowski, a former national team coach and a renowned talent scout.
The former Darryn T gaffer actually thinks the match against Egypt was one of the best Warriors matches he has watched in recent years. “This was one of the best games Zimbabwe played in recent years.
“They deserved at least a draw,” Grabowski told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
The Polish mentor, who is still based in Harare, thinks Zimbabwe will get a good result against Angola, in their second game in Group B.
Zimbabwe need a win to stay in contention for a berth in the knockout stage.
The Warriors have never gone beyond the group stages since their Afcon bow in 2004.
They have never won inside their opening first two games at Afcon, all their three wins since 2004, have in their final group game.
However, the strong show against Egypt has left many believing Zimbabwe can come out with a result against the Palancas Negras tomorrow.
“What the Warriors have to improve on is tactical awareness in their box, the most dangerous player is the one without the ball, so marking the player without the ball is vital.
“You don’t give Salah that much room inside your box, he will punish you.
“But all in all the Warriors played well against Egypt and I am convinced they will do well against Angola,” added Grabowski.
Former CAPS United star forward David Rediyoni echoed Grabowski’s sentiments.
He thinks the Warriors are not far behind in terms of quality.
“We are not that bad, there was no gap between us and Egypt.
“I am sure we can match Angola and South Africa,” said Rediyoni.
The former ZPC Kariba star is however worried with the Warriors’ defensive department.
“We need to improve awareness in our own box.
“But, the positive signs are there. The boys have to believe in themselves.
“The coach is new but he is already showing signs that he can give us good results.
“The captain Marvelous Nakamba had a decent show but he needs to shift into a top gear so that he also inspires the other players who are looking up to him,” said Rediyoni, who won the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title with Gunners in 2009.
He added: “We are not far behind. I am sure we will have a good game against Angola.
“Game management is also key, because we need to know what to do when we are leading especially in the dying stages of the game.”
The match against Angola will be Zimbabwe’s 17th at the AFCON finals.
Although they have never progressed beyond the group stages, the Warriors’ fighting spirit has been acknowledged across the continent.
While praising Zimbabwe on their website recently, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), acknowledged the Warriors’ resilience.
“At every Africa Cup of Nations, some teams arrive with more than just sporting ambitions.
“Zimbabwe are among those who step onto the continental stage carrying the hopes, pride and voice of an entire nation.
“Nicknamed the Warriors, the Zimbabwean players embody the fighting spirit and resilience that define their country,” wrote CAF on their website.
“Their qualification for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 represents far more than a place at Africa’s biggest football event.
“It marks a new chapter, a sense of renewal and a powerful source of unity for a nation eager to be represented with pride.”
Meanwhile, Knowledge Musona, Sean Fusire and Divine Lunga, who were sidelined in the first game through injury, trained with the rest of the squad yesterday.
Bongani Ndlovu