Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
WARRIORS coach Marian “Mario” Marinica said Teenage Hadebe remains one of the team’s key defensive elements that he cannot easily let go of.
This follows a heart-to-heart conversation which the Romanian gaffer had with the US-based defender who had to take the cane for breaking senior team camp protocol in Botswana.
Hadebe was subsequently suspended from the Mukuru Four Nations Cup final win over Zambia at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown on Tuesday night after he was found guilty of breaching regulations in camp.
The Cincinnati man had put on an outstanding performance in the 3-0 semi-final win over Botswana at the same venue last Saturday before breaking the line that defines the Warriors disciplinary code.
A remorseful Hadebe first apologised to his coach, the team and the country at large for his misconduct.
After being pardoned, he joined the team in celebrating the victory over Chipolopolo, even embracing 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 Marinica revealed that Hadebe’s professionalism struck him.
“I think the Teenage Hadebe issue is already water under the bridge,” said Marinica.
“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,’’ Marinica said.
Marinica added that Hadebe is showing the same character that captain Nakamba put on 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,” said Marinica.
“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.”
Marinica 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 Marinica’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 Marinica.
“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.”
Marinica used a 3-5-2 formation, restricting opponents from playing properly through in the middle.
It’s a structure that he said he is assessing and could be tinkered with depending on situations.
