Must-win Angola clash demands rethink

Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub

ON Boxing Day in Morocco, the Warriors walk into a match that will define their destiny at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. 

After the 2-1 defeat to Egypt in their first group B match, the Angola game has become a must-win.

Marvelous Nakamba and company will try to find a way out of the heartbreaking defeat to Egypt, which further extended the North Africans’ dominance over the Warriors. 

Now, it is about whether they can change their approach and not what could have been. 

Coach Marian Marinica is expected to rethink both his tactics and how he will assemble his players when they face the tricky Angolans. 

Against Egypt, Marinica opted for a deep defensive setup that worked for long spells, but also came with its setbacks. 

It meant sometimes bypassing the midfield and giving away possession on many occasions. 

Utimately, they paid dearly when Omar Marmoush equalised before Mohamed Salah struck a 91st-minute winner. 

This time, pragmatism alone may not be enough. An extra thought and a bold new tactical approach are needed on Boxing Day. 

But while Zimbabwe’s opening Group B match ended in heartbreak, it also earned them widespread admiration. 

Few gave them a chance against the continent’s heavyweights. 

For more than 60 minutes, they kept Egypt at bay, scoring first and unsettling the Pharaohs with discipline and resolve. 

 It was the classic David versus Goliath contest, albeit with a different outcome. 

The game was electric. 

And when Zimbabwe took a shock lead inside the opening 20 minutes against the run of play, the script had changed. 

Former Warriors midfielder Johannes Ngodzo believes the performance showed promise, but warned against desperation as Zimbabwe chase their first points. 

“I thought the boys played well.  l think they showed commitment and a brilliant fighting spirit,” said Ngodzo. 

“I thought the goals we conceded were avoidable, meaning in the next game against Angola, we need to work on our concentration. One thing that we need to avoid is making mistakes because we are now desperate to get a result out of this game. I think the boys have the mentality to fight, but we should just avoid mistakes at crucial stages of the game. I thought it was small details which cost us against Egypt, but it’s something that can be worked on as we face Angola.” 

For football analyst Robert Gava, the lesson from the Egypt match is clear: Zimbabwe cannot afford to spend another 90 minutes without control of the ball. 

“I thought our big problem against Egypt was the lack of a ball player in the team,” said Gava. 

“For the entire 90 minutes, our midfield failed to provide for our strikes who in turn had the burden of dropping deep into their own half to collect the ball. We were simply chasing the ball for the 90 minutes, so for me, the first thing we need to have is someone who can distribute the ball. We were playing defensive football all day long, something we should change against Angola. 

“ The Angola game is a do-or-die, which means there have to be some changes. I am positive we can pull a win.” 

Football fan Njabulo Mlilo believes the circumstances leave little room for caution. 

“The coach went for a defensive approach against Egypt and that is something we cannot afford this time around against Angola,” said Mlilo. 

“I think we are going to see a different team and setup from the coach for this game, given both teams know they have no option but to get a result.”