AS the Warriors enter the jungles of Alexandria on March 26 against Egypt in a 2014 World Cup qualifier, coach Klaus Dieter Pagels has stuck to his Young Turks and vehemently defended his selection policy.
WELLINGTON TONI/TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
While Pagels’ vision is clear that he is looking into the future, it is evident the team is thin on players of stature who can withstand Egyptian attacks and give Zimbabwe a positive result.
Pagels has kept faith in the youthful team that edged the Zebras of Botswana 2-1 in an international friendly in January in Harare, with only Denmark-based Quincy Antipas, South Africa-based striker Rodreck Mutuma and Dynamos defender Augustine Mbara the new faces in the squad.
“Of course I have confidence in this team getting a positive result against Egypt. Otherwise I would not have come up with this squad.
“I know some players might not have played two or three games, but they are training everyday and have not forgotten how to play football.
“Don’t just expect us to get a positive result from this match. You should remember our target is to build a new team,” Pagels said.
Zimbabwe has not won a match in the campaign after losing 1-0 at home to Guinea and drawing 0-0 against Mozambique in Maputo.
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On the other hand, Egypt have six points from two matches after beating Mozambique 2-0 in Alexandria and Guinea 3-2 in Conakry.
The Egyptians have key players in the squad, as they seek to rebuild their prowess after failing to qualify for consecutive editions of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Mohamed Aboutreika (27) has been chosen as the Africa-Based Player of the Year three times in 2006, 2008 and 2012. He won the Afcon final in 2006, scored the winning goal in the same competition in 2008 and is also the joint all-time top scorer in the Fifa Club World Cup with four goals along with Lionel Messi and Denilson.
Mohamed Nagy, otherwise known as Gedo, joined English Championship side Hull City in January and is one of the most dangerous players in the team.
Mohamed Salah, on target in the 3-2 win over Guinea where Aboutreika, who stands at 1,85m, scored twice, is aged 20 and turns out for FC Basel in Switzerland while striker Mohamed Zidan is another crucial player in the Pharoahs squad.
Salah and Gedo play as twin strikers in a 3-5-2 formation and will face the Warriors pair of Patson Jaure and Lincoln Zvasiya, who are most likely to be deployed as centre-backs. Hardlife Zvirekwi and Ocean Mushure will take the wing-backs. Worrying for Pagels though, is that Zimbabwe’s best players, going into this crucial match are lacking game time.
Knowledge Musona is not even making the final 18 for Augsburg in Germany. Rodreck Mutuma has no work permit to play for Bloemfontein Celtic in South Africa, while captain Denver Mukamba has only had a few minutes at Bidvest Wits.
Antipas is playing at bottom-placed Brondby in Germany, while Khama Billiat is also a regular at Ajax Cape Town — but both teams are facing relegation — so is Abbas Amidu’s Black Leopards.
There is no bite in midfield —Willard Katsande is needed, no doubt. Mukamba and Archford Gutu need powerful protection for them to thrive. Ronald Chitiyo is good, but just too short for the international arena.
Simba Sithole and Mathew Rusike are good strikers, but without the power of Takesure Chinyama and Kingston Nkhatha, Zimbabwe will be handicapped in attack.
Besides, the German coach has overlooked several key players — notably United Arab Emiratesbased forward Edward Sadomba, Belgium-based Vusa Nyoni, Cuthbert Malajila and Englandbased duo of Bradley Pritchard and full-back Onismor Bhasera.
