adminFungai Munyoro
AFTER stunning the highly fancied Cameroon one-nil in the first leg of their All African Games qualifier match played at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday, Zimbabwe national Under-23 coach, Kalisto Pasuwa, believes his band of Young Warriors is capable of progressing to the next stage of the competition. Young Warriors managed to lift the nation’s flag high despite the disruptions in their preparations.
Pasuwa’s boys have not had the best of preparations with key players failing to report for duty on grounds that the All African Games are not on the FIFA calendar.
Young Warriors displayed good football and it was captain, Wisdom Mutasa who made the difference in the 22nd minute. Mutasa, who plays for FC Platinum, finished off a cross from Dynamos’ Blessing Moyo and shot from inside the box, giving the visitors’ goalminder Ndjomo Ndjana no chance. The Young Warriors gaffer was happy with the outcome, but added that he expected more goals since they had home advantage.
“The boys played very well. I expected more than one goal in this match since we were playing at home. We will sit down and work on our shortcomings and see how it goes in the return leg,” said the former Dynamos gaffer.
However, Pasuwa warned his boys not to relax because of their one-nil lead.
“Yes, we are carrying a one-nil lead and we must not forget that Cameroon is a powerhouse and we must be cautious when we play against them in three weeks time.
“Away matches are always a challenge and we need to be prepared for anything. All we want is a positive result,” said the former Mutare Boys’ High student.
Pasuwa took over as Young Warriors coach last year and is being assisted by 2014 coach of the year, Saul Chaminuka, Hwange’s Nation Dube and Triangle assistant coach, Tembo Tshuma as part of his backroom staff.
The Young Warriors will troop into camp on Monday and Pasuwa indicated that they might be some changes in the team that he used against Cameroon.
“Some changes might be there, but I don’t have a guarantee that I will get some of the players that we would want from our domestic league. If the East comes to the West, I will then return all the players that I used against Cameroon and I know results will come,” he said.
Pasuwa believes that Zimbabwe has talent, but it needs to be nurtured.
“The future of football in our country is bright. All we need is to help nurture the talent that we have and show these youngsters direction then we are home and dry,” said the four time domestic league championship winning coach.
Online Reporter