admin
international at Rufaro today.
The match starts at 3pm.
While the continent will be focussed on events in South Africa, with the Nations Cup semi-finals set to be played today, the Warriors have to pick up the pieces and start from scratch once again.
They missed the 2013 Nations Cup finals, after losing a close battle with Angola on the away goals rule, and they return into action with a new coach in charge, German gaffer, Klaus Dieter-Pagels.
Rahman Gumbo, who was in charge during the Angola assignment, was forced to leave following the monumental failure while Zifa’s response was to dissolve the team and call for a fresh start.
While that certainly doesn’t mean anything, with most of the familiar faces coming back into the fold, the mere fact that the coach will be a different man, means that there have been some major changes.
Whether that translates to a change in fortunes, for a team that has perfected the art of tormenting the souls of their loyal fans, will be determined by the passage of time.
For Pagels, who has earned a lot of respect among the country’s football writers with the way he conducts his business, this is just the start.
Botswana arrived on Monday evening and are also eager to use the match to prepare for their 2014 World Cup qualifying battles where they have so far fared badly — just like their Zimbabwean counterparts.
But it appears the game is more important for the hosts, who are seeking a new beginning under Pagels.
The German coach has been tasked with rebuilding a competitive side ahead of the resumption of the World Cup qualifiers next month and is hoping to get the project underway on a good note.
Pagels has named a youthful team comprising the bulk of players who were in the Under-23 team last year and wants to use the match to assess his new-look side.
Team manager, Sharif Mussa, yesterday said the technical team has faith in the squad and added the Warriors were hoping to get stiff competition from their neighbours.
“No doubt it’s a situation where we have to try and build from where we left off without complaining too much about issues,” said Mussa, who also marks a return to the team after being controversially elbowed out last year. This is a new challenge and I am sure the coaches have seen the abilities in the players that we have.
“We have only been together a few days and I am confident by now the players have got the basic idea of the coach’s philosophy of play.”
University of Pretoria goalkeeper Washington Arubi, Gilbert Mapemba, Khama Billiat, Archford Gutu and Germany-based forward, Knowledge Musona, are some of the players in the side whose considerable experience is expected to play a big role in this youthful outfit.
Arubi, who is doing well in South Africa, is expected to start between the posts ahead of the other two goalkeepers Maxwell Nyamupangedengu of Harare City and Dynamos’ Artwell Mukandi.
Pagels has former Under-23 centreback Lincoln Zvasiya and Dynamos’ Partson Jaure to form the core of his defence while Mapemba looks set to provide the guidance for the back four.
Dynamos leftback Ocean Mushure has been training with the squad but there have been concerns about his fitness as he had been battling to shake off a knee injury in the last week.
But the Warriors’ technical team have a variety of options from the midfield going forward.
It appears Pagels is preparing for an offensive type of play with Knowledge Musona, Simba Sithole, Khama Billiat, Denver Mukamba, Matthew Rusike, Abbas Amidu and Masimba Mambare all lined up for the challenge.
“Obviously we play football to win but in my view I think this is an opportunity for the team to see if the players and the technical team are getting along together in terms of what the coach wants,” said Mussa.
“What’s encouraging is that these guys are quite enthusiastic and vibrant in trying to make things happen.
“It’s a process though and we would love to play another game before we face Egypt but that would mean the game falls outside the Fifa calendar hence we won’t have all the foreign-based players.
“It’s good, though, for the home-based players and to prepare for other tournaments like the Chan.”
Zimbabwe are currently third in a four-nation grouping for the World Cup qualifiers with one point following the home defeat to Guinea and the away draw in Mozambique.
Egypt leads the group with six points.
Under fire Botswana coach, Stanley Tshosane, who has often complained about his team’s poor preparations, will also be hoping to derive real value from the friendly match.
The Zebras, who have experienced one of their worst runs in recent times after touching the heavens last year, when they played at the 2013 Nations Cup finals, are preparing for a World Cup tie against Ethiopia next month.
They find themselves at the bottom of their group and desperately need to breathe life into a stuttering campaign. The team has one point in a group that has Central Africa Republic, South Africa and Ethiopia.
Online Reporter