adminOn Sunday, the whole nation was sent into deep mourning after the senior national soccer team lost 2-0 to Angola to bow out of the finals set for South Africa next year.
Going into the match, Zimbabwe were at an advantage after goals from Khama Billiat, Archie Gutu and an own goal from Matteus had given the Warriors a 3-1 win at Rufaro.
Djalima Campos rose from the bench to score the priceless away goal for the Palancas Negras.
Angola then turned on the heat in Luanda when former Manchester United striker Manucho struck twice in the early stages of the game to leave the Warriors chasing the game which they never caught until the end.
Ndlovu, who captained the Warriors to their only two previous appearances at the finals, said the team let the whole nation down after snoozing for “five mad minutes:.
He is also hoping to soldier on as part of the Warriors technical team and challenged Zifa to develop the Young Warriors who will form the bedrock for the senior side.
The former Highlanders and Coventry City winger is now the assistant coach to the Warriors and was making his first public statement since disaster in Luanda.
“We have to realise that we are talking about a very bad day for the country as far as football was concerned on Sunday,” Ndlovu told a Press conference yesterday.
Ndlovu said the players failed to concentrate in the opening stages of the match.
“I do not know how to put it when you are so near yet you are so far. Its bad. But without taking away anything form the boys, everything was okay, the game plan, the weather, the travelling arrangements but I think we just lost the plot within these five minutes where we did not concentrate.
“I can’t say we played badly in those five minutes but we just lacked concentration,” said Ndlovu.
Ndlovu called on the nation not to forsake the team this time. “So the only thing we have to say is sorry to the public. We are sorry for the result We take full responsibility for the result,” said Ndlovu.
In selecting their troops for the battle on Sunday, Ndlovu said they had picked the strongest possible squad for the assignment.
“I have read reports in some sections that the team lacked experience but in my opinion we picked the most experienced team. The personnel we fielded was the most experienced and we had some of the big names in the Zimbabwean strikeforce.
“But at the end of the day it did not happen. One or two players were off form or did not start well, but we tried to get at least a goal.
“Without condemning my players, I think we played well but the result was not pleasing.
“However, we are not going to run away from the fact that we take full responsibility,” said Ndlovu.
Sitting on a 3-1 lead from the first leg, Ndlovu said their strategy in Luanda was to defend their advantage. “But in order to defend, we did not want to sit back and invite trouble. We did not want our opponents to smell that were afraid and so we went out to attack. Our team had five attack minded players.
“Angola got their goals, which I could say came out of sheer determination or luck but we also took a cautious approach. We never conceded more goals but actually tried to get back.
“The team had good chances with Khama coming alive in the second half,” said Ndlovu.
If he could turn back the hands of time, Ndlovu wishes to change the script in the opening minutes of the game when they failed to contain Manucho.
“When one team is attacking the other team one team is bound to defend. We lost the plot in five made minutes and we are sorry,” said Ndlovu.
Ndlovu, who is also the head coach for the Under-23 side said he will not be tempted to throw in the towel because of the defeat in Luanda.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter