Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WARRIORS coach, Mario Marinica, says Teenage Hadebe’s future with the national team will not be compromised by the ugly incident which led to his suspension in Botswana this week.
This follows a heart-to-heart conversation between the Romanian gaffer and the United States-based defender, who was punished for breaking camp protocol in Botswana.
Hadebe was subsequently suspended from the Mukuru Four Nations Cup final win over Zambia in Francistown, on Tuesday night.
It is believed that Hadebe was punished for consuming alcohol while in camp.
The Warriors vice-captain appears to have taken the blame even though there were many other players in the hotel room, at the time of the incident.
A remorseful Hadebe first apologised to his coach, the team and the country for his misconduct.
After being pardoned, he joined the team in celebrating the 1-0 win over Chipolopolo.
He even embraced ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi as he received his gold medal.
Prior to the match, he had asked captain Marvelous Nakamba to ask for forgiveness to the ZIFA boss on his behalf.
And Mario revealed that Hadebe’s professionalism has impressed him.
“I think the Teenage Hadebe issue is already water under the bridge,” said Mario.
“Immediately after realising that he had wronged the team and the country, Hadebe came straight to the team and apologised to them.
“He said he was ready to take full responsibility for his error. Management decided that he be suspended for the final against Zambia.
“He was showing remorse throughout the period and even went to the extent of urging every player in the team to give it their all for the country.
“The players said they would do for him.
“It’s that spirit that stands out. He is a real Warrior,’’ Mario said.
Mario added that Hadebe was showing the same character that captain Nakamba showed after letting the team down against South Africa at the Africa Cup of Nations last December.
“Look, when Nakamba made the mistake in Morocco, he walked straight into the dressing room and gathered everyone down.
“He said he had made a stupid error and said he took full responsibility for the loss.
“That’s the hallmark of a professional. No one asked him to apologise but he found it in his heart to do so. That’s what Hadebe has just done and that’s the level of maturity that can keep us going.”
Mario said his defensive tactics were now starting to shape the way he wants after winning the tourney in Botswana, without conceding.
Goalscoring has never been a problem for the Warriors since Mario’s appointment in November last year. In eight games, the former Malawi coach has seen his charges score 11 times but they have been leaky at the back, letting in goals in each of the games they played before the just-ended tournament.
“I think the defensive tactics are now coming up,” said Mario. That has been a weakness for us but I am happy to have gone for 180 minutes without conceding. We have been trying to work out a proper formula to minimise damage at the back.
“It looks like we have found it now but the work continues.” Mario used a 3-5-2 formation, restricting opponents from playing properly through the middle.
It’s a structure that he said he is assessing and could be tinkered with depending on situations.
Mathew Masinge