Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WARRIORS coach Michael Nees has sought to hand an extensive pool of players a chance to prove their worth in the upcoming international football friendlies against Burkina Faso and Niger.
Zimbabwe will make use of the FIFA window by dating Burkina Faso on June 6 before they face-off against Niger four days later in Casablanca, Morocco.
And Nees has decided to try out at least four players in these games but retained most of the regulars for the two games.
He explained the complexity of having to pick different squads for the two assignments, whose dates are clashing.
“First of all, there are basically two competitions we are in. At the same time, you know, the COSAFA Cup and the FIFA friendlies. That means, of course, a lot of, in a certain way, challenges for the football association. You have to basically organise everything simultaneously,’’ Nees said.
Injuries, the need to rest some of the seasoned campaigners and a chance to secure new club deals has seen players, who include skipper Marvelous Nakamba, his deputy Marshall Munetsi, Jordan Zemura, Andy Rinomhota, Tawanda Chirewa and Knowledge Musona, being excused.
This meant Nees was always going to tinker with his regular squad.
“On the other side, we know it is the end of the season in Europe and players can get easily injured, how can I say it? they have to nurture a little their injuries, which they have to carry on.
“Some of them are completely worn out and need a rest physically and mentally. On the other hand, the season in Zimbabwe is in full swing,” said Nees.
“In South Africa, the season is up as well, while here, it is in full swing. It’s a really unique situation. We also were discussing in the federation and elaborating on what to do in such a situation.
“You see, Marvelous Nkamba is not in a squad, not because we don’t have a good relationship — we have an excellent relationship.
“It’s very simple, in Europe, for example, in his team, the league finished on of May 3. You cannot have players at his age, having had some injury before, like Andy (Rinomhota), having three or four weeks of break and then joining the national team. The result will only be under-performance, possibly injuries, missing a pre-season, missing them in June.
“We want these players to be in top shape. For example, Terence (Dzvukamanja) is with his club tomorrow (today), a very important game.
“You know, they might have to play in the play-offs. And it is a very difficult situation to interfere in the club. The same with Divine Lunga, he is playing in the Club World Cup in the Champions League.
“We, the club, or you, the clubs and the associations — actually, they all work in the same ecosystem. In the end, it’s a give and get. And we must also respect when the clubs give us the players.
“Knowledge Musona’s team luckily escaped relegation and of course there are contract negotiations going on. We cannot interfere with players when their contract runs out. Marvellous had a calf injury and we decided it’s best for him to rest and be fully fit in the pre-season.
“Jordan Zemura also had a calf injury after the Nigeria match. Then he was sitting on the bench, but then suddenly full fire and most likely overloaded a bit. We don’t take any risks with him.
“Marshal Munetsi, well before this break, had a very tough season, always giving 100 percent. He needs a full rest,” added Nees.
Resultantly, the 57-year-old German gaffer announced a changed squad yesterday for the North African tour, for which the Warriors are expected to fly out on Sunday.
Nees, flanked by his assistant Takesure Chiragwi and skipper Nakamba, also named a largely young squad that will carry the nation’s pride at the COSAFA Cup in Bloemfontein, South Africa, scheduled to run from June 4-15.
In that COSAFA squad, Nees retained faith in some of the stars of the Young Warriors side from last year’s COSAFA Under-20 squad, who include GreenFuel forward Denzel Mapuwa and Ngezi Platinum Stars defender Blessed Tashinga Mashonganyika.
For the trip to Morocco, Nees recalled veteran striker Tinotenda Kadewere, whose Warriors tenure has been blighted by injuries in the last two years. Nees also named Sheffield Wednesday’s Sean Fusire and TelOne’s Tawanda Macheke together with German-based Jonah Fabisch, who has been given another bite at the cherry.
Fit again Belgium-based Bill Antonio has been rewarded for his outstanding performances since returning from a long-term injury for KV Mechelen.
There was also room for a return for Magesi goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, who has been rewarded for an impressive season in the South African Premiership.
Nees will lead the regular squad in Morocco, where Zimbabwe will be out to improve on their 116th FIFA ranking.
Rankings are key in determining the pots in which a team can be placed during draws for such competitions like the World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.
In Casablanca, Nees will have his usual lieutenants, while national Under-20 coach Simon Marange will preside over the COSAFA Cup campaign with the assistance of Simba Bhora’s Joel Luphahla.
While Nees fully explained the inclusion and exclusion of some players, he had a showdown with journalists on why he has stuck with goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva when the Brentford Under-21 fringe player has not seen any game time for club and country.
Nees was at pains to justify the criteria he has used to stick with Tavaziva, who now seems a permanent Warriors third-choice goalkeeper ahead of such players like Nelson Chadya, who are playing regular club football.
The showdown almost got nasty as Nees desperately tried to defend his decision to an unsatisfied audience, left with more questions than answers.
Warriors Squad for friendlies against
Burkina Faso and Niger:
Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford)
Defenders: Teenage Hadebe (Cincinnati), Gerald Takwara (Al Minaa SC), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora), Peter Muduhwa (Scottland), Godknows Murwira (Scottland), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos)
Midfielders: Mthokozisi Msebe (Scottland), Khama Billiat (Scottland), Richard Hachiro (Ngezi Platinum), Jonah Fabisch (FC Aue), Donald Mudadi (Simba Bhora), Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants), Bill Antonio (K.V. Mechelen)
Forwards: Prince Dube (Young Africans), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Walter Musona (Scottland), Tawanda Macheke (TelOne FC), Tino Kadewere (Nantes)
