THE Warriors were bundled out of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2015 qualifiers after a 2-2 draw against Tanzania on Sunday.
NewsDay Editorial
Not that Zimbabweans did not see it coming especially if the mercenary attitude by the national players on Saturday was anything to go by.
The Warriors believe they deserve better treatment from Zifa. Therefore, they are worth $2 000 for every 90 minutes they give to the national team.
When Zifa president Cuthbert Dube had to bond his property to cover the costs of hosting a national team, then there is surely a bigger problem with local football.
But, the display by the players precisely showed that Zimbabwe does not have talent to play at Afcon. The players perhaps are good enough for invitational tournaments like Cosafa and without doubt the Warriors will reach the last four or do better in this year’s event in September in Botswana.
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One wonders where the Warriors problem is. Is it the players, coach Ian Gorowa or the Zifa leadership which needs overhaul?
Is the selection criteria used by the coaches proper? Or the players simply need re-orientation of what it means to play for the national team? While Gorowa has to do some explaining over Sunday’s debacle, Dube and his Zifa leadership leave a lot to be desired.
The performance of the Warriors has all the hallmarks of bad headship by the Zifa board. To expect the Warriors to win without playing any international friendlies with notable opponents is demanding too much. Besides, why would Dube bond his house (if ever he has done that in the first place) only when it’s serious business?
The result on Sunday requires Dube and his board to self- introspect. They need to raise money for the Warriors’ preparations by playing competitive friendlies.
It is not a request to Dube, but a must; he vied for public office knowing all too well the pitfalls of what he was going into. So there are indeed no favours he can claim to be doing for the country, but it is his duty to take the most popular sport up the ladder.
On the same note, were some of the players who donned those green, yellow and white colours of the nation on Sunday fit? Are they qualified for the tall order before them or they were simply drafted in to the team as place holders?
When is the country going to have the likes of Madinda, Peter and Adam Ndlovu, Francis Shonhayi, Agent Sawu and John Phiri again? Isn’t it time Gorowa explained his selection of Washington Arubi, who was deputy to Tapuwa Kapini and now deputy to George Chigova? Does this add up?
Denver Mukamba has not been playing mainly due to injuries, but he starts the match.
Yet, Kuda Musharu is a proven goal getter — 14 goals in 14 matches this season (eight in the Premier Soccer League and six in the Caf Confederation Cup) — and this count for nothing. Cuthbert Malajila last scored in 2009 in the Cosafa Cup final against Zambia and did not even play well in Dar es Salaam two weeks ago, but he still starts the match.
Sadly, the Taifa Stars were locked out of their lodgings on Friday night after Zifa bungled again. Now that this campaign has collapsed, football fans should turn to the World Cup while enjoying the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.