Warriors’ success wins many hearts

Ray Bande Senior Sports Reporter
WARRIORS’ gallant show on Easter Monday that left beaming smiles on the faces of success-starved soccer fans and plunged the nation into wild celebrations following the emphatic 4-0 triumph over hapless Swaziland charmed the hearts and minds of many across the nation.

Victory over Swaziland ensured the Warriors take full control of Group L having opened a three-point gap on the summit of the log with two matches left in the Gabon 2017 Afcon qualifiers.

In a lively encounter before a decent and appreciative crowd, the Warriors were simply too powerful for Sihlangu and were barely troubled by the visitors.

The bad news, however, is that Guinea won 2-1 away in Malawi and are now three points behind the Warriors with two matches to play.

Malawi will come to Zimbabwe in June with nothing, but pride to play for and hopes are high that a positive result will come out of that match taking our points tally to 11, while Guinea travel to Swaziland. The Warriors faithful will be hoping at best for a Guinea defeat in Swaziland or at worst a stalemate.

The Warriors will then engage Guinea away in Conakry in the last match of the group stage matches.

But in the midst of the euphoria, some progressive followers of the game of football have been quick to point out the need to have adequate preparations ahead of the next Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in June this year.

Former Tanganda player and former Eastern Lions vice-chairman, Davis Mundirwira, said the win against Swaziland managed to boost confidence for the Warriors, but reckoned the need to adequately prepare for the remaining two encounters.

“I think it is common knowledge that we are going to play our next match in June. We should never be found wanting when it comes to preparations.

“We have failed on the last hurdle on numerous occasions and we should not make the same mistakes as a nation. Now that it will soon be off season in South Africa and Europe, there is chance for us to have friendly matches with serious opponents.“We just have to play friendlies with teams from North and West Africa so that we adequately prepare for Guinea and Malawi. In fact, we should be the ones travelling for those friendly matches. The other thing is about finances.“We surely cannot rest and think we will put everything in place when the dates are around the corner. We need to ensure that bonuses for players and coaches are in place. We do not want a situation whereby players start boycott training a few days before important matches,” said Mundirwira.

Former Highway team manager, Lloyd Chinawa, echoed Mundirwira’s sentiments, saying the national team now needs serious preparations ahead of the last two group stage matches.

“We have one leg in, but we are not yet there. We just cannot afford to relax. We should use the time between now and June to do everything in our power to ensure that when June comes we are fully prepared for the last two matches.

“Morale is obviously high after that emphatic win over Swaziland, therefore we should ensure as a nation that the team is kept motivated by everyone’s support.

“Let us guard against complacency. We surely cannot afford to take a rest.The technical team did a good job against Swaziland and they should be given enough resources to see to it that they once again assemble the winning team when we play against Malawi and Guinea,” said Chinawa.Gaza Gunners director, Shingi Mathabuka, said Calisto Pasuwa had assembled a formidable squad with a lot of promise, hence the need to keep the team intact.“I think the team we watched playing on Easter Monday is the best of what we have as a nation, hence there is need for Zifa to make sure that they play their part in keeping that team intact.

The coaches need not make too many changes to that side.

‘If anything, there is not any need for change unless we have injuries when we eventually play the last two matches.It is also important to point out issues to do with incentives have to be addressed and ensure that they won’t derail our campaign.

We have a good chance to qualify for Afcon and we should not let that chance go just like that especially given the fact that we will not be part of the next World Cup,” said Mathabuka.