Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE might have missed the chance to claim a record-equalling seventh COSAFA Cup championship title, but their coach Simon Marange feels there were some positives to draw from their mission in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
The Warriors crashed out at the group stage on the narrowest of margins, losing top spot in Group A to South Africa on a single goal difference.
Marange’s men could have squeezed through had they been more prolific in their opening two games in which they were terribly slow starters.
They however, reserved their best for last, as they put up a solid show in the 3-1 hammering of Mozambique on Tuesday.
The squad, made up largely of players with an average age of 21, was in line with the ZIFA thrust to start building a base for the 2028 Olympic Games qualifiers.
Marange, who is also set to lead the national Under-20 side at the Africa Union Sports Council Region 5 Games in Namibia, next month tried his best to give most of the players a run, with a number of players catching the eye of several scouts, who watched the tournament.
This year’s AUSC Region 5 Games will also serve as the COSAFA Under-20 competitions for men and women.
During the tourney in Bloemfontein, Marange had such players like skipper Andrew Mbeba (25) of Highlanders and his centre back partner Allan Chapinduka (20) of TelOne, putting on good shows. FC Platinum striker, Thando Ngwenya also turned on the style and scored a brace in a Man of the Match performance against the Mambas of Mozambique.
“I am sure we all are in agreement that we were excited by Thando Ngwenya.
“He really raised his hand and said, look I am a player with a lot of quality.
“He played at a high level in this tournament,” Marange said.
Ngwenya was one of the players who started all the three group games against Mauritius, South Africa and Mozambique.
The others were Nisbert Muzenda (Ngezi Platinum Stars), crowd favourite Prosper Padera, who is now plying his trade in Finland and Simba Bhora’s Junior Makunike.
Gangly goalkeeper Martin Mapisa was also a pillar for Zimbabwe even during the 2-0 losing cause to Bafana Bafana in the second match.
Although Marange thinks it is too early to really come up with a proper assessment, the youthful gaffer drew some positives from the three games in Bloemfontein.
“We had a good last game, it helped a lot.
“I think we still have to reflect and see where the successes are.
“But from the immediate assessment, the team grew as the tournament progressed”.
Marange is of the opinion that some players still need more time to develop and adapt to tactics.
However, he was happy with the mental strength exhibited by some of his rookies including the trio of Padera, Mbeba and Chapinduka.
“I think most of them have the capacity to go and represent the country at the highest level,” noted Marange.
He believes the successes will be seen over a longer period of time.
Zimbabwe will participate in the Olympic qualifiers, which are reserved for Under 23 players, next year.
There are indications that some the Warriors attracted interest from South African top-flight sides and that offers could soon come for the likes of MWOS goalkeeper Mapisa, Mbeba, Chapinduka and Ngezi Platinum Stars’ 19-year-old forward Muzenda.
“From an individual perspective Nisbert Muzenda impressed me as well,” added Marange.
Muzenda played wide right while Simba Bhora’s Tinotenda Meke occupied the left wing.
“Chapinduka, since I met him in the Under-20s, he has been growing as well.
“He is a player to look out for in the future. I liked Prosper Padera. He is everybody’s choice, first time I coached him and watched him closely, I had known him for a while.
“He really showed his quality.”
Marange also gave United Kingdom based players Menzi Mazwi (Birmingham City Under-21) and Kennedy Mupomba of Chelmsford City a run.
