adminAS the Mighty Warriors step up preparations for next month’s Africa Women’s Cup of Nations in Cameroon coach Shadreck Mlauzi has revealed his greatest wish and it’s not even a much touted striker or a reliable goalkeeper.
Mlauzi is desperate for a sports scientist.
“There are a lot of things that we have been learning but at this stage I think what we need is a sports scientist in the team,” said the Mighty Warriors coach.
“It goes without saying that adequate preparations are very important but there are things that sports science will bring like scientific player testing and player evaluations which I have no doubt will improve our competitiveness ahead of the tournament.
“We have already submitted our preferred road map to Zifa and therein we emphasize the need to have a sports science specialist.
“I don’t have an individual that I have identified but I think if we get attached to reputable institutions like NUST (National University of Science and Technology) or Innovate High Performance Centre it will go a long way in preparing us for the tournament”.
The Mighty Warriors, whose success appears to be held back by persistent poor planning had a training stint at Bindura University of Science Education prior to their debut bow at the Olympic Games.
Now as they prepare for a go at the continent’s biggest women’s football prize, Mlauzi reckons the ladies need a more scientific approach to business.
Mlauzi, who made use of a number of fringe players and a couple of debutants, in the 2-1 win over Egypt is looking at building a large pool of players to choose from.
Although he insists on not reading much into the Egypt friendly it’s difficult to imagine how the coach can ignore the goal scoring pair of Maud Mafusire and Tonderai Masango.
“We are still work in progress, we are yet to see much of the new guys who are coming into the team but it’s nice that they are doing well instantly because we need a large pool to select from,” he said.
The Mighty Warriors are pooled in Group A together with hosts Cameroon, neighbours South Africa and an Egyptian side they outplayed at Rufaro on Tuesday.
Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter