‘Stand up and be counted’

Petros Kausiyo Deputy Sports Editor
WARRIORS assistant coach Callisto Pasuwa has challenged his troops to show that they are cut from the cloth that makes national team material when they host Zambia in a re-arranged African Nations Championships second round, qualifying showdown at Rufaro tomorrow. A week after the original first leg tie at the same venue was stillborn last weekend, following the no-show by Cameroon match officials, the Warriors and Chipolopolo will now square off tomorrow, in the first leg of the final CHAN qualifier with the reverse fixture set for Ndola next weekend.

The CHAN tournament provides the Warriors with a platform to redeem themselves after some disastrous World Cup and African Cup of Nations campaigns.

Zimbabwe also surrendered the Cosafa Cup crown to Zambia when they fell 2-0 to Chipolopolo in the final at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium on July 20.

Pasuwa, who has emerged as new coach Ian Gorowa’s trusted lieutenant in the Warriors dressing room, challenged the current crop of players to prove their mettle by qualifying for the CHAN finals.

The Dynamos coach urged Warriors skipper Masimba Mambare and his troops to draw inspiration from the Nigerian Super Eagles’ home-based players.

Pasuwa said such players like Enugu Rangers’ Sunday Mba have risen to become key members of the Super Eagles despite Nigeria having a host of players who play in the European leagues.

“This is their chance to stand up and be counted. Nigerian players have shown that even if you play in the domestic leagues as long as you are good and you have the character, you can deliver even the Nations Cup.

“There is nothing very special about Zambia and our players just have to believe in themselves,’’ Pasuwa said.
Pasuwa also revealed that, with Gorowa, they have been psyching up the players and preaching the gospel of commitment to the Warriors cause.

“Last week, the confidence levels were very high and after a week of hard work the combinations were coming up but then we had this break with players going back to their clubs so all we have to do now is to get them motivated again and psyche them up for the big game,’’ Pasuwa said.

Pasuwa revealed that Gorowa had also spoken at length about the need for the Warriors “to make sacrifices for the country’’.
“The coach has also been telling these players about the significance of playing for your country and that they have to put behind any problems we may have encountered and keep the focus on the job. We have also told them that this is their chance to stand up be counted, these are the kind of games where one can make an impact and secure a regular place in the national team.

“I think they need to look at what those Nigerian players who play in their domestic league have done. They have become the core members of the Super Eagles and even delivered the Nations Cup even though their country has many players playing in Europe’’.

Pasuwa also warned that it would be naïve of the Warriors to read too much into the way Zambia, who were in France for an international friendly against Senegal, have gone about their preparations.

“We should not worry about what Zambia were doing in France or in Lusaka, all we need to do is to show that we have the character to match or beat any team’’.

The former Warriors midfielder, who played with his boss Gorowa at Dynamos and in the national team, said although they would be cautious at the back, they would seek to be very offensive given too that they are at home for the first leg.

“These games are being played over two legs and we need to go all out on attack and play more direct football so that we can gun for a more comfortable lead at home.

“We need to use every little chance that comes our way so that we can get as many goals as we can’’.
The Warriors are also aware that Zambia are hard to beat at home where they have not lost a match at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium.

Pasuwa said the Warriors could also help Zifa lure sponsors for the national team by playing well and beating such high profile teams like 2012 African champions Zambia.

“Of course, our football and especially the national team still needs sponsors and we can play our part in trying to bring some sponsors on board by performing well.

“If we do the job and qualify there is no doubt that sponsors will come on board because they would want to be associated with success. So we have said to the players the money might not be there or might not be enough but we can create opportunities for ourselves by performing well.

“If we do well and qualify, these players also get a chance to be watched by various scouts who will be in South Africa for the CHAN competition, so these guys have to grab this chance and beat Zambia,” Pasuwa said.

Gorowa and Pasuwa were yesterday still trying to find ways of dealing with the problems of left-sided players after Augustine Mbara sustained a groin injury while Ocean Mushure ruled out his availability after indicating that he had family problems to attend to and did not turn up for camp.

The two coaches will, however, be hoping that the belief they have will have a rub-on effect on their charges as the Warriors seek to make it to the CHAN finals for the third successive time.