SENIOR national men’s football coach Klaus Dieter Pagels has said he will not be drawn into clashes over selection of players into the Warriors squad.
Report by Henry Mhara
His comments came after former Warriors captain Tapuwa Kapini this week criticised the German national for excluding “senior and experienced players” from the team that suffered a 1-2 defeat against Egypt in a World Cup qualifier last month.
Kapini reckoned that the Warriors could have won in Alexandria had Pagels considered players like Tinashe Nengomasha and on-fire striker Cuthbert Malajila into the team.
“Without anyone senior, who are these younger guys in the current national team going to learn from? The reality is that they can never be able to do it all alone especially on away games in Africa. To me, it would have made sense if they had taken at least two to three senior players to guide the younger guys . . . Someone like Tinashe (Nengomasha) would make a huge difference in that team. From what I have been told and seen, that game against Egypt was winnable. Especially if there had been at least some senior players who understand how such games can be won,” Kapini added.
However, Pagels — who has made it clear since he was appointed into the hot-seat earlier this year that he will go for unknown quantities — yesterday said he would not be distracted by such comments.
“Everyone can give his or her opinion, but I’m not disturbed,” Pagels said.
“I select my players after consultations with my technical team and we cannot please anyone. Next week I will meet with them to plan for the next match against Egypt. I have been watching local league matches and there are three or four players whom I have seen and think can fit well into my team.”
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Pagels also welcomed a proposal by Malawi to play the Warriors in a friendly match early next month ahead of the second round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
Fifa have set June 9 as the date for the Warriors to play against the Pharaohs in the reverse fixture in Harare.
“I would have preferred to play a team from the North Africa, but it’s not possible. There is no money for us to travel to that part of Africa or to get them to come here, so I will do with what is available. I want a lot of friendlies, as many as possible because that will improve the quality of play by the players.”
