‘Warriors have talent’

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
SWISS coach Marc Duvillard believes the Warriors squad for the African Nations Championships has the potential to pen another success story at the biennial tournament in Rwanda early next year if only they can avoid the usual problems associated with the national teams and stay focused on their assignment.

Duvillard has been attending the Warriors training sessions as part of his studies for a UEFA pro-licence and the former Zimbabwe coach said he was impressed by the talent in the squad of 32 that has been called by Callisto Pasuwa.

The veteran Aces Youth Academy coach and director, however, advised the Warriors that they should take their preparations seriously for the Group D ties with neighbours Zambia, West African giants Mali and Uganda.

Zimbabwe are the team to beat in this group following their success at the previous third CHAN edition in South Africa last year where they reached the last four after beating Mali in the quarter-finals.

The Warriors are one of only two countries that have been to every edition of the CHAN tournament since its inception in 2009 with the other being the inaugural winners Democratic Republic of Congo.

Duvillard believes they have the potential to do even better than their previous displays but warned football has evolved over the years and every game needs to be approached with due diligence.

“I don’t have any specific message to these guys. I’m here because I’m doing a licence in Europe, a UEFA pro-licence and in this licence I have to make a report about preparations on national teams.

“The group is quite a tough group with Zambia, Mali and Uganda. And I think everybody is thinking the same, there is no small team now.

“Even when you play Seychelles these days it’s difficult. Twenty years ago it was probably going to be easy but today it’s difficult because football is growing all over and you have to respect all teams.

“But they (the Warriors) are doing well and I am sure if they continue like that and the federation can support them properly and do not have the usual problems like ‘there is no money and all that stuff’ everything is possible. If there are no such problems, what Callisto is doing on the pitch with his staff is very good.”

The Warriors appear to have also charmed ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa with their work ethic and the Harare property mogul yesterday visited them at their lodge to get an appreciation of where they are staying.

Chiyangwa also had lunch with the Warriors as he sought to keep them motivated ahead of their departure for Kigali with the ZIFA president also handing out T-shirts and caps that were part of the campaign regalia in the elections that swept him to the helm of the association.

The ZIFA president on Monday also attended the Warriors training at Gateway High School in the company of board member finance Philemon Machana.

Yesterday, Chiyangwa together with another board member, Edzai Kasinauyo, also took time to be with Pasuwa and his men at their lodge in Greendale where they interacted in a more relaxed environment. The Warriors resumed camp on Saturday after breaking for one week over boardroom squabbles which had led to the temporary sacking of Pasuwa by the ZIFA board. The coach was, however, reinstated following a public outcry and the condemnation by the Ministry of Sport and Rec- reation.

Despite the challenges, spirits are high as they are looking to build on their performances at the last tournament in South Africa where they recorded their best performance despite losing a third place play-off to Nigeria.

Duvillard also praised the commitment made by Chiyangwa to support the Warriors and to pay the players their outstanding bonuses.

The Swiss mentor said the team deserved all the support during their preparations if they are to bring home medals.

“Fine, excellent. I think everybody is happy if it’s like that. Let’s see. I hope it’s like that because they deserve that,” said Duvillard. Zimbabwe’s preparations have been blighted by the injuries to goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya who has since been sent back home and skipper Danny Phiri who should know his fate today.

Phiri has been struggling with a tendon injury he picked up in the Easycall Cup final between Chicken Inn and Highlanders at Barbourfields.

Pasuwa has since indicated that he will delay naming their final squad for the tournament which runs from January 16 to February 7 as they are still not convinced about the fitness and injury situation in their camp.

Nonetheless, Duvillard urged the players who will be selected to go to Rwanda to embrace the opportunity as it is a platform that may open windows for them to further their careers abroad.

“The players have to understand, for them this is a very good platform not only of going to South Africa but maybe to other teams in other countries.

“You can see the quality but it all comes back to the question — is the mentality ready? What are they dreaming? Are they dreaming just to play for the national team or they are dreaming of winning as a team and after winning as a team then, because the team is doing well, I have got a chance because a lot of people will come to scout. It’s up to them (the players),” he said.

Duvillard said the authorities should not neglect even those that may be deemed the smallest things during the preparations as that may cost them later at the tournament. He said Pasuwa needs to be provided with all the right material and support he may require.

“The conditions for training are well but there are few things which make it difficult. For example, they were supposed to train with the official soccer ball but they (official balls) are not here. You know, such small problems,” said Duvillard.

“I was following, for this (UEFA) diploma, the Swiss national team preparations, the coach can focus only on his job. All the rest is done by others responsible for that. Everything is done, you have got no problem as a coach. You can just focus on your players, following your plan, your training session, if you want to do this and that it’s fine.

“Here it’s always difficult because sometimes there is no money for this, no money for that and it’s very difficult. I think it’s more difficult to coach a team like Zimbabwe than to coach England, France or Switzerland because of all these situations. But the quality is there.”