dyton mupawaenda
Eddie Chikamhi-Senior Sports Reporter
WARRIORS coach Baltemar Brito got a reality check in his preparations for the 2026 World Cup when his team played a Northern Region Select in Harare on Sunday and lost 1-3.
The Zimbabwe team, comprising mostly local-based players, were no match for John Toto-Ncube’s young guns, who scored through Ngezi Platinum Stars Under-19s’ player Tinashe Mashaireni and double scorer Tanaka Dhlakama from Herentals Under-20.
South Africa-based forward Knox Mutizwa scored the consolation.
The Warriors had to arrange a training camp and a light sparring match with the youthful select from the country’s second-tier division after ZIFA failed to secure an international friendly match during the nine-day FIFA international break that concludes today.
Brito, who initially called a 24-member squad, has been working with a band of 22 players. Most of the foreign-based professionals, who make the core of the team, failed to turn up after the communications with their clubs was bungled.
Only six players that play outside Zimbabwe — veteran goalkeeper Washington Arubi, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Knox Mutizwa, Devine Lunga, Never Tigere and Munashe Garananga — have been in camp since Friday.
The rest of the squad comprises players like Highlanders stalwart Peter Muduhwa, Godknows Murwira (CAPS United), Frank Makarati, Tanaka Shandirwa (Dynamos), Takunda Benhura (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Gerald Bero (Manica Diamonds) and PSL top goal scorer Obriel Chirinda of Bulawayo Chiefs.
And on Sunday, the Warriors technical team gave almost all the players in the camp a run.
Of course it was a practice game, but losing to a hastily assembled second-tier side does not inspire confidence, especially when this Warriors team is preparing for the World Cup qualifier matches coming up in the next few weeks.
However, one of the Warriors assistant coaches Bongani Mafu said the game was important in setting up foundations.
“We are starting, and starting is what we are looking for,” he told journalists after the game.
“We have to start from somewhere. The old adage that, if you have 11 good players that doesn’t necessarily make a good team.
“So we played one half and the other half with different lots. So what should be improved, because this is a national team, players have to try and prove themselves. We have seen where we need to go out in the country and look for players to build this Zimbabwe team.”
Mafu also pleaded with the authorities at ZIFA to arrange a second training camp before the Warriors plunge into the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. They begin their quest for qualification away in Rwanda before hosting Nigeria, in a neighbouring country since the local stadiums have been condemned by FIFA and CAF.
“I think the most important thing is to have a realistic training camp sometime before the games so that we bring in our professionals and blend them with the boys that you have seen here and have the full men’s squad.”
Zimbabwe are in Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers along with Rwanda, Nigeria, South Africa, Benin and Lesotho
Only one team will get automatic qualification to the finals in the USA and Mexico.
“We know that we have two tough games. The first one against Rwanda and then against Nigeria, who have a good squad. But in football there is no winner or loser before the game is played. What we need to do in the end is being proud we did our best,” said Brito.
“I came with an open mind to try and help with my knowledge.
“About this camping, of course we know that we are starting from zero. It’s very important that we share with the boys what we think about our game plan.
“So we are here for it, we will try to enjoy these days best possible because we are running against time but we will try to enjoy as much as possible this training camp and we thank ZIFA for providing this opportunity.”
The 71-year-old Brazilian is hoping to cement his team with professionals dotted around the globe for the World Cup qualifiers.
“Our data about Zimbabwean football players is big. So we will do the best for Zimbabwean football.
“We know that there are some good Zimbabwean players playing in Europe and we know the names but right now I think it will not be fair for these boys that came to camp to assess if we start talking about those ones so what we want is to assess these ones. We want people who are more capable,” said Brito.
Online Reporter