Ultimate Warriors: Who among the local lot deserves to play for the national team?

THE Warriors are back in the international football arena and as expected the battle lines are already drawn as players strive to etch their names in the annals of national pride, vying for the coveted honour of donning the national colours.

While the helm of selection authority rests firmly in the hands of the yet-to-be-appointed coach, the spotlight inevitably extends beyond the pitch. A chorus of voices resonates, from the 12th man in the stands to the astute pundits dissecting each move. Social media’s fervent buzz, corner stands of newspapers, the chatter of hair and beer salons — all avenues converge, forming the backdrop of an impassioned debate.

A contentious question emerges: Does the local Premiership harbour a diamond worthy of the national team’s embrace? The debate was set ablaze by the candid comments of former Warriors coach, Gibson Homela, who brazenly aired his dismay at what he deemed as a dearth of quality players. Homela’s words struck like lightning, casting a schism among the fundis of the game, and compelling even the casual onlookers to chime in.

Does the respected coach truly believe that the players of Highlanders, Dynamos, CAPS United, FC Platinum, and their counterparts stand devoid of merit? Homela’s reverberating perspective has seen some clamouring for his head, while others nodding in sombre agreement.

But what exactly did Homela say?

“I have watched Highlanders who are top of the table and they are not impressive. Sometime I watched Dynamos and FC Platinum, they were even worse. None of the players deserve to be in the national team from those teams. Surprisingly these are the top teams in the country.

“The quality of players for the national team is not there. The worrying part is that we will find it hard to play and win against other countries. The onus is on the players to improve themselves if they really want to be selected for the national team. There’s no way a coach will be happy with the low calibre of players we have. The players have to do extra work on their part,” he said.

A stark commentary on the talent pool sparked introspection. Homela’s vision painted a tapestry of unvarnished truth, fuelling both conviction and consternation. The onus lies with the players, an imperative to transcend and refine, if the dream of donning national attire is to be realised. A coach can scarcely bask in contentment when the roster languishes in mediocrity. It rests with the players to toil and transcend.

Offering a counterpoint, Godfrey Paradza, who walked the journey with Homela at Zimbabwe Saints, lends a different hue.

“Homela has a point but my thinking is it’s not fair to say we can’t compete. The players that are playing now deserve a chance to prove themselves. We must first have them play and then we can see how far we are from other countries. We must also take into effect that there was Covid-19 and the game was stopped. Then came the suspension by Fifa. It’s been a lengthy period of not competing. That lack of participation affected us and it will take time to recover,” said Paradza.

Cautioning against a generational juxtaposition, Paradza said: “Yesteryear players had natural talent. Today it’s more of coaching. Comparing eras is difficult but players must show they are good for the call-up.”

Former Highlanders luminary, Gift Lunga Jnr, counters Homela’s decree with a measured response.

“I will narrow his analysis to Highlanders. Maybe it’s the philosophy they are using. Yes, they are not playing entertaining football but that does not mean they don’t have the quality in their side.

“Bosso have a player like Peter Muduhwa who can play in the national team. Dynamos have Tanaka Shandirwa as well who has been exceptional. I think the quality for the national team is there,” said Lunga.

Football pundit and coach, Sakhelani Nxumalo casts his lot with Homela’s verdict.

“I think he is right. Fewer kids are playing football as much as it was played before. Back then, in the high-density suburbs, players did not get to learn from the coach. They played together and perfected their art on the streets before they even joined a junior’s team. There are things in football that cannot be taught but you get experience through playmates,” said Nxumalo.

Stanford “Stix” Mtizwa, a football sage and erstwhile titan of the sport, amplifies Homela’s sentiment.

“During our time, townships had youth clubs. We started playing football at the age of nine. The way these youth clubs operate now is different. Players are there but parents are strict on kids. It is preferred that they go to school and do less sport. Open spaces that were used for playing games have been replaced by buildings. There are no recreational facilities anymore. This is why there has been a decline in the quality of players being produced,” said Mtizwa.

As the debate rages on, another will erupt in the coming days as the hunt for the Warriors job takes centre stage. Zifa is looking for new coaches for all the women’s teams and men’s junior sides.

The Warriors are in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers that start in September. Zimbabwe was drawn in Group C together with Nigeria, South Africa, Benin, Rwanda, and Lesotho. — @innocentskizoe