THANK YOU ZIFA, SAYS NEES

Tadious Manyepo

Zimpapers Sport

WARRIORS coach Michael Nees has paid tribute to ZIFA for supporting his vision.

His team sealed a place at the 2025 AFCON finals to be held in Morocco next year.

Nees will be guiding a team at the showcase for the first time.

“I would like to thank the association (ZIFA), especially the chief executive officer Yvonne Manwa, for running around and seeing to it that we always had everything we needed at hand,” said Nees. “The backroom staff and everyone at ZIFA really deserve some credit.

“They have pulled in the same direction and the result has been good.”

He praised his charges’ character against Cameroon.

“I think we showed that we can also play football under pressure. We were passing the ball nicely and recycling the ball well.

“The small differences counted at the end in the match against Cameroon.

“You saw the character of our team, I am proud of the players and the team behind them. Everybody pulls in one direction.

“The fans in South Africa were amazing, both in Johannesburg and Polokwane. The players could feel the vibe and they had the urge to work even harder,”

In South Africa, ZIFA also managed to forge solid ties with Zimbabwean companies based in that country like Zororo-Phumulani.

The company also brought Zimbabwean legends like former captain Peter Ndlovu, Edelbert Dinha, Innocent Chikoya and Alexander Maseko to talk to the Warriors in each of those games.

“We really appreciate the support given to us by thousands of Zimbabweans in South Africa,” said Jordan Zemura.

“It’s really amazing to play in front of singing fans who would be waving your flag.

“We like that show of patriotism and we are really grateful to those who did the work in the background and the fans who physically showed up in all our games in South Africa and elsewhere.”

Zemura said it was disappointing to lose to Cameroon in their last group game.

“It’s unfortunate we lost when we wanted to finish the campaign without a defeat.

“But that’s the nature of the game.

“But I think our chemistry as a team and everyone involved has been the difference for us. We would like to continue on that path and I am sure we will achieve a lot as a team.”