HARARE - Zimbabwe coach Ian Gorowa will steer the Warriors to the later stages of the Chan finals, former coach Sunday Chidzambwa believes, sentiments echoed by other local football coaches.
Chidzambwa, who guided Zimbabwe to their first ever African Nations Cup finals in 2004, says the current crop of home-based Warriors is well-coached and ably equipped to progress through from Group B of the competition, designed for players still plying their trade at home.
“I am tipping the team to go past the group stages because we have a very competitive team. The fact that they managed to beat Zambia away (in the qualifiers) means that they are a very good team considering that Zambia is one of the best teams on the continent at the moment,” Chidzambwa said.
“I also have great faith in the coach because he is up to the task, he has managed to assemble a very good side. If we compare our league to other leagues on the continent, we compete well and this gives us the confidence that our team has what it takes to prosper at the tournament.”
Former Warriors assistant coach Lloyd Mutasa also added his voice of support for the team, saying the composition of the squad, dominated by players from the country’s four biggest clubs, augurs well for the team
Mutasa said the fact that Dynamos, FC Platinum and Highlanders provided the bulk of the team makes combinations easier because the players already have an understanding from club level.
“If you look at the Spanish team, their biggest attribute has been the fact that Real Madrid and Barcelona players make the bulk of the team,” said the FC Platinum coach.
“This makes it easier for the team in terms of formations because the players already have an understanding from club level. If you look at the current squad, Dynamos have about four players, Highlanders an equal number and FC Platinum also having three players. This works in terms of combinations.
“Our biggest hurdle in the group stages is Morocco and if we manage to have a positive result against Morocco then the path will be clearer for us to go into the group stages. We need to continue with our belief that we can do it and don’t give unnecessary respect to our opponents.”
Former Dynamos Coach David Mandigora also threw his weight behind the Warriors, saying the team is composed of experienced players who will not suffer stage fright.
“We have experienced players such as Oscar Machapa, Tafadzwa Dube, Charles Sibanda, and Tawanda Muparati who have played in more high profile games before. This gives the team a stabilizing factor. If the boys exhibit the same character and fighting spirit they have shown in the past then they can go all the way beyond the group stages,” said Mandigora.
The Warriors open against North African giants Morocco in Group B on Sunday.