Sundaymail Editor
Langton Nyakwenda
UNDER-FIRE Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic attributed the country’s latest defeat to Senegal to fatigue and naivety.
The Warriors bowed out of the COSAFA Cup without a win on Tuesday afternoon after going down 2-1 against Senegal in Port Elizabeth.
Zimbabwe got off the mark early when Qadr Amini converted from the spot after three minutes.
Senegal drew level a minute from halftime through Abdou Ndoye.
It was a special gift from keeper Martin Mapisa, who spilled a harmless free-kick onto the path of Ndoye, who had the easiest of tasks of slotting the ball home.
The West Africans worsened Zimbabwe’s woes in the 88th minute through Mouhamed Ba.
Zimbabwe leaves the 20th edition of the COSAFA Cup without a win.
They drew 0-0 against Mozambique, 2-2 against Malawi before succumbing to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Namibia on Sunday.
It was the same story at the CHAN finals in January, where Logarusic failed to mastermind a single win.
And Logarusic’s capacity to steer the Warriors ship has now come under heavy scrutiny, with some calling for his sacking.
However, the Croat gaffer insists the COSAFA Cup was a learning process and he is talking about the future even as calls for his dismissal become pronounced.
He currently has one win in 12 matches.
“With the result, we were bit unlucky today, but anyway fatigue kill us (sic) . . . in the end it was fatigue and naivety.
“Second goal was a bit naïve, but anyway that’s part of the learning process,” he said.
“I used this tournament to prepare for the CHAN tournament next year and I use this tournament to see any player ready to come to the national team.
“I see two or three players which can be part of the national team for qualification for the World Cup.
“The rest of them will be CHAN team and we will focus on bringing more players for the CHAN from other teams.”
Online Reporter