New era for Warriors…Brito, Mafu and Mangombe to shape Zim soccer destiny

SO the herculean task of refashioning the Warriors will fall on the shoulders of Baltemar Brito. He is not alone in this quest as he is set to have Bongani Mafu and Genesis Mangombe as his lieutenants.

The 71-year-old Portuguese mentor will be at the helm of the country’s senior men’s national football team until June 2024 on a contract that runs concurrently with the Normalisation Committee’s tenure.

Brito’s appointment doesn’t come as a surprise as he has previously come out and said he would love to get the Warriors job. His wish has been granted and together with Mangombe and Mafu the trio have a huge task at hand.

Zimbabwean football fans are not the patient lot and the technical team knows they will demand results instantly. If the results don’t come at least the direction of where the nation is heeded should be clear. The technical team doesn’t have much time to start their journey to the country’s redemption as they are expected to assemble a squad that will compete at the Botswana Independence Day celebrations on September 30.

The big question on every football fan’s mind right now is if the trio will be equal to the task at hand. But what exactly can we expect from Brito and company and what do all the coaches bring to the Warriors?

The development of a type of play

Over the years, the country has struggled to customise to a particular style or type of play owing to a lack of continuity. Coaches have come and gone and they have all brought in different styles and the country continues to search for what could be a suitable type of play. Brito may have one year as it stands but one thing he is expected to bring is a type of play that will be a template for junior teams as well.

Clear Tactics
Given the two years he has been at Highlanders, we have seen two brilliant sides of the Portuguese coach. In his first year his side played offensive before a change in tactics saw Bosso adopt a defensive approach to their game this season which has seen Highlanders compete for the title. They are only one point behind leaders Ngezi Platinum with 11 games to go. Brito’s influence on Highlanders extends beyond the numbers. The defensive unit’s synergy, exemplified by the partnership of goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda, Peter Muduhwa and Mbongeni Ndlovu, showcases the coach’s ability to forge a cohesive and impenetrable backline.

His assistant, Mangombe, on the other hand, has turned Dynamos into an attacking team that builds from the back and goes for the opponent.

Team Selection
Every football fanatic is eagerly waiting for the announcement of the first Warriors squad after the lifting of the suspension by FIFA. Who will make the squad is the question? Captain of the last Warriors squad Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat have retired. Calls have been made to have the duo make a U-turn.

Does Zimbabwe really need the duo? Billiat announced his retirement from international football in November 2021 saying he has run his race. Musona announced his retirement from the Warriors in May 2022 after playing for the team since 2010, a period in which he featured 51 times and scored 24 goals.

It will be interesting to see who Brito picks to replace the duo.

The lifting of the suspension came just in time for the Warriors to be part of the 2026 World Cup Draw. Zimbabwe were drawn in Group C together with Nigeria, South Africa, Benin Rwanda and Lesotho.

Connection with the fans
Brito has often attributed Bosso’s success to the support he has received from the Highlanders family who follow the club in their numbers. Brito will need the same support as he takes up the Warriors job.

Before the Zifa suspension, I felt that a touch of apathy had begun creeping into the fans’ mindset given the mediocre results and Brito will need to rekindle the romance between the masses and the Warriors.

Meanwhile, action in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League continues this afternoon with a number of exciting fixtures on the cards around the country.

PSL Week 24 Fixtures
Saturday
GreenFuel v Simba Bhora (GreenFuel Stadium), FC Platinum v Herentals College (Mandava Stadium), Chicken Inn v Triangle United (Luveve Stadium), Yadah Stars v Bulawayo Chiefs (Baobab Stadium), ZPC Kariba v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Nyamhunga Stadium), Sheasham v Cranborne Bullets (Bata Stadium)
Sunday
Black Rhinos v Manica Diamonds (Bata Stadium), Hwange v Highlanders (Barbourfields Stadium), Dynamos v CAPS United (National Sports Stadium)