Tapera sings Mapeza’s song

Bruce Chikuni in Port Elizabeth, South Africa

WARRIORS interim coach, Jairos Tapera, appears to have joined his predecessor Norman Mapeza in suggesting that the famed British-born players need an alternative route before they are plunged into the senior national soccer side.

Tapera has three British-based players in the Warriors squad, which is doing business at the annual COSAFA Cup tournament in Port Elizabeth.

The trio at Tapera’s disposal includes goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva midfielder Joey Phuthi and defender Shane Maroodza.

None of the three players managed to make the cut when the Warriors edged Comoros 1-0 in their Group opener on Thursday.

Mapeza was trolled by some critics when he suggested that the nation should not hurry most young players with the FC Platinum coach asking that they go through the mill via the Young Warriors sides.

This was after Mapeza had, during a Four-Nation tournament in Malawi in April, observed some weaknesses in a bid to rush the youthful players into the senior team, even at the expense of their confidence and proper development.

Germany-based Jonah Fabisch suffered a similar fate when his handlers pushed for his inclusion into the Warriors. But for all his brutal honesty, Mapeza was made the fall guy with some accusing the former Zimbabwe skipper of “having outdated and military style coaching methods’’.

Yesterday, Tapera was singing from the same hymn book, after he watched the young players struggle with the rigours of the senior team’s demands and suggesting that some of the players in the squad were imposed on him.

Maroodza and Phuthi struggled to bench press Tapera’s recovery training session, which only lasted for 30 minutes yesterday.

Phuthi asked to be excused during warming as he complained about his groin. The technical team also confirmed that Phuthi also suffered a similar problem during the recent back-to-back World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and South Africa.

Maroodza was in pain after yesterday’s training, he sustained a hamstring injury and it is almost certain that together with Phuthi they will likely be returning to their bases without playing any part in this tournament.

Tavaziva is the only player from this list with a chance to make his much-anticipated debut.

But Tavaziva faces a tough challenge from the other two goalkeepers at Tapera’s disposal – Highlanders Raphael Pitisi and Simba Chinani of Simba Bhora.

Tapera has, however shown he has no qualms with handing the rookies a debut as shown with by his inclusion of such players like Tawanda Chirewa in the World Cup qualifiers.

Tavaziva was impressive at training yesterday and would have to await Tapera’s final call for the Warriors much tougher task against Chipolopolo.

The Manica Diamonds coach expressed his desire to hand this British Brigade a chance.

However, he also stressed that it has to be earned.

“I’m quite disappointed that we have two injured players in our camp as a coach, you would want everyone to be available for selection,’’ Tapera said.

“The challenge with Phuti and Maroodza is that it is off season in Europe where they are based and they are training with the local guys who are now heading to the half way mark of the season.

“This difference is very huge if you ask me and I think that’s why they seem to be picking these injuries.

“And I also feel that in the future we also need to give them a chance at developmental level since they are not exposed to top-flight football, but they do have serious potential.

“People should have listened to Mapeza because he didn’t want some of these boys to be thrown in the deep end,’’ said Tapera.

Tapera also reflected on his team’s performance against the Comoros adding that he never expected his men to put up a good show when they floored the Indian Ocean islanders.

“I have to give it to the players, they made everything look easy but Comoros are not easy to beat, they have improved quite well.

“The boss paid attention to detail they fought really hard for the victory and it gives everyone hope that we can achieve greater things if they can replicate such a performance tomorrow against Zambia.

“I also want to give it to captain, Godknows Murwira, he is a leader who knows the language to keep his peers motivated.”

“I was not surprised when he was voted as the man of the match.

“He also needs to be on that level again for us to maintain our shape because as a coach, you also need players who can make your job easier in the field of play and Murwira is good at that,’’ he said.

The Warriors will seal a semi-final berth should they overcome their old enemies tomorrow.

Chipolopolo will be come into battle, licking their wounds after Kenya’s Harambee Stars handed them a surprised 2-0 beating in the other Group B opener.