Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo in Uyo, Nigeria
WARRIORS coach, Michael Nees, says Zimbabwe should fight till the end.
They are in a tight corner from which they don’t need only themselves but some fortunes from elsewhere to pull clear.
The Warriors pursuit of a spot at the 2026 World Cup suffered a huge blow when they lost two huge points in their 2-2 draw against Benin at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in South Africa, last Thursday.
Already bottom of the six-team Group C log and seeking to win and hang out in the contest for a place at the quadrennial jamboree next year, Zimbabwe couldn’t quite do themselves a favour at their adopted home venue, despite vociferous support from the stands.
Instead of cutting down the gap between themselves and the leading pack in the group, or maintain it at five points at the very least, the Warriors are now seven points off the pace with five games to play.
Nees knows the situation is far from ideal, but he has refused to surrender the fight.
He didn’t begin the campaign, which he is so keen to revive.
But all that doesn’t matter for the German gaffer who has brought a whole new feel and eloquent touch into the national team, which he has helped qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Morocco late this year.
He does acknowledge the massive hurdle ahead for his team.
While the air of disappointment from the Benin draw is still lingering, the Warriors have shifted their focus on Nigeria who they face at the Godswill Akwabo International Stadium, here, on Tuesday.
It’s a must-win game for Zimbabwe, if they want to keep the dim light they have on qualifying, smouldering.
“We have to be competing even if we are already out. We are not out (yet). There are still 15 points to play for,” said Nees.
“And you never know what’s happening with the second place play-off, how many points the second position needs, as there are some groups with only four teams so that the matches may be at least five, and six will be not counted in that calculation.
Nobody can predict anything. As a sports-person, you have to fight until the end, because everybody wants a fair competition. That’s number one. If you don’t do that, you shouldn’t be playing football. The group is not yet decided. There’s still 15 points to play for.”
Nees said every game should be approached differently.
Nigeria are now on six points, four behind leaders South Africa and they will be out to pick the maximum points against Zimbabwe.
The Warriors can take their tally to six, same as Nigeria, if they can constrict their hosts on Tuesday.
“You must see every game differently at the same time. In the same vein, a team needs to develop, if you observed against Benin, that was definitely an improvement in character and that also gives confidence. You are two zero down. You come back.
But of course, in a certain way, we need to also be honest to ourselves and rectify the mistakes.”
The Warriors arrived here on Friday night, put up in Lagos before connecting to Uyo yesterday afternoon.
