Nees needs more time

Curtworth Masango

FOLLOWING two goalless draws against Kenya and Cameroon in the opening round of 2025 AFCON qualifiers, Warriors head coach Michael Nees has rekindled optimism among football stakeholders. The team’s performance has been heartening and Nees is convinced that with adequate time, they can evolve into a formidable force.

The Warriors’ focus should now shift to their AFCON fixtures against Namibia next month.

Nees believes the Warriors have the character to compete with any African team. With their past experience playing good teams, they have no reason to feel intimidated.

“We need to analyse our games and see what we can do better and what we are not so good at and what we need to work on at training,” he said.

Nees believed the Warriors have all they need in terms of character to challenge anyone in Africa. There is no need for the Warriors to feel intimidated as they have played several good teams in the past and did well.

“Yes I can turn this side into a formidable side, the more time you have is the better you become as a coach. But you must see how packed the calendar is, in most, you have no time to train its only about playing then recover.”

Nees is also dedicated to gaining a thorough understanding of local football by observing more domestic matches and evaluating player talent.

“So I also need time to assess local football for boys playing in the local league. So far I have just watched four games and that’s not enough to understand local football in detail.”

“The talent is not a problem but we need to bring our talent on the pitch. We don’t have to talk about the talent but need to bring the talent on the pitch and always have a good mood. When the mood is good everything goes well.

He added,

“I made my research about Zimbabwean football, I didn’t just come. And I played against the team before. So one way or the other I know a little bit about football in Zimbabwe.”