eBusiness Weekly
Chipo Sabeta
Warriors coach Sunday “Mhofu” Chidzambwa has called for media support during the official announcement of the 28-member provisional squad amid turmoil over player selection criteria ahead of the decisive Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Congo Brazzaville on March 24.
Despite admitting that he is bound to make mistakes, Chidzambwa wants constructive criticism rather than the peddling falsehoods regarding the Warriors selection.
Chidzambwa has been accused of receiving bribes from players and players’ agents to earn national team caps.
While transparency in the selection process is needed, there has been clear conflict of interest in the rules with some sports analysts claiming that national teams are being “owned” and “controlled” by some individuals.
However, Chidzambwa took to his defence, saying he cannot please everyone and that he puts the national interest first.
“As a coach I would love to qualify for the second time, and we are all working. It’s work from the board and the technical team for us to qualify. We are all working day and night. But the responsibility to qualify to the finals is not Chidzambwa’s duty alone, neither is it Kamambo’s alone. We need the support of all stakeholders including members of the media for us to achieve the objective of qualifying for the finals,” he said.
He added: “Allegations of brides are uncalled for. It’s out of the question. I therefore urge the media to support the team. We all want the team to qualify.”
Eyebrows were raised last year when Chidzambwa recalled Willard Katsande to the Zimbabwe senior men’s national team ahead of their AFCON qualifier against Liberia.
Katsande had retired from international football after the 2017 AFCON finals in Gabon but he went on to announce that he was coming out of retirement. The Warriors coach immediately roped the midfielder Liberia in Monrovia, a match that he went on to perform dismally.
Mhofu have since dropped him.
The national team selection has seen criticism over the veteran gaffer’s inclusion of inactive players.
In Liberia, Zimbabwe had themselves to blame as they created numerous chances that they fluffed in both halves, with the main culprit being France-based striker Tino Kadewere and Ovidy Karuru.
Prior the Liberia match, Kadewere had only played one match and lacked match fitness and his shooting was all over the place.
Addiationally, questions were raised why the Le Havre forward played 80 minutes when he was off-colour raised questions if the technical team was really responsible for tracking and monitering progress of players in their respective club bases.
The notion has weighed negatively on hardworking players’ morale and confidence and continuously overlooked.
In previous years, player agents like Gibson Mahachi have been accused of having undue influence in the make-up of the senior national team.
At one point, Mahachi’s clients dominated the Warriors, including ex-coach Callisto Pasuwa.
“I am just asking, is the Zimbabwe national team picked on performance or because Mahachi is your agent,” former goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini once asked.
A sports analyst who prefered anonymity said the national team must not be personalised and be given the respected it deserves.
“We must have some people playing games with our national team because it is our national pride, our identity and our ambassadors. People must realise that there are thousands of fans who love their national team and sport is an emotional game,” he said.
The recent line up has more that four players named the provisional squad with two new faces.
Nottingham Forest defender, Tendai Darikwa, who played a pivotal role in both encounters against DRC on the right back position is expected to marshall the back four. The inclusion of Orlando Pirates winger Kuda Mahachi who has been applauded. Czech Republic-based Costa Nhamoinesu has been left out again.
While the of foreign brigade was widely welcomed by the football fraternity, the omission of such players Thabani Kamusoko, reigning Soccer Star of the Year Rodwell Chinyengetere and Kevin Moyo has raised dust in some circles.
The inclusion of FC Platinum keeper Petros Mhari whose side has conceded in the CAF champions league games at the expense of inform Elvis Chipezeze has also generated debate.
However, Chidzambwa admitted that he will not please every one but he is optimistic of his squad.
“I think if you look at our squad, we have added two (foreign-based) players. I think for this game, we have enough time to train for the Congo Brazzaville match. Out of this 28-man squad we will pick the best 11 to start and I am sure we are allowed to put 11 substitutes on the bench, so it is going to be 11 best players on the pitch and 11 substitutes,” he said.
“You will never pick a squad that pleases all, it’s common all over the world,” he said.
“I am a human being whose view might differ from others, so naturally I cannot please everyone and there are a lot of factors that are looked at when selecting the national team.”
Chidzambwa believes football fans will play a vital role in helping Warriors reach AFCON on the nation to come out to support their team in the crucial home clash against Congo.
Qualification for AFCON would prove a huge boost for the players’ careers, the development of football in Zimbabwe
However, the Congo national team will prove a tough opponent, and the two sides can potentially still qualify for the region’s top international tournament, which will be held from 21 June to 19 July 2019
Meanwhile, Warriors manager Wellington Mpandare explained why Macauley Bonne was not included in the provisional squad. His first appearance came in November 2017 in a 0-1 defeat to Lesotho.
“He is yet to submit his papers to start the process of getting a Zimbabwean passport.”
Zimbabwe have so far collected eight points, while DRC are on five, with Congo-Brazzaville and Liberia tied on four each.
Zimbabwe are still in the driving seat with the majority of permutations in their favour.
Despite the defeat against Liberia threw the contest in Group G wide open after Congo Brazzaville and DRC drew.
All four teams will go into the final round of matches still with a chance of qualifying to the finals.
The Warriors would have to lose by at least three goals to Congo for them not to qualify.
Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers: George Chigova (Polokwane City — SA), Edmore Sibanda (Witbank Spurs — SA), Petros Mhari (FC Platinum).
Defenders: Ronald Pfumbidzai (Bloem Celtic — SA), Divine Lunga (G. Arrows — SA), Godknows Murwira (FC Platinum), Nyasha Munetsi (Pirates — SA), Alec Mudimu (Cefn Druids — Wales), Tendayi Darikwa (Nottingham Forest — England), Teenage Hadebe (K. Chiefs — SA), Jimmy Dzingai (Power Dynamos — Zambia).
Midfielders: Khama Billiat (K. Chiefs – S.A), Richard Hachiro (Herentals), Marvelous Nakamba (Club Brugge — Belgium), Kuda Mahachi (Pirates — SA), Danny Phiri (G. Arrows — SA), Butholezwe Ncube (AmaZulu — SA), Tafadzwa Kutinyu (Azam — Tanzania), Knowledge Musona (Lokeren — Belgium), Ovidy Karuru (AmaZulu — SA), Leeroy Mavunga (Yadah FC), Talent Chawapiwa (AmaZulu — SA), Kelvin Lunga (SV Rodinghausen — Germany).
Strikers: Tinotenda Kadewere (Le Havre — France), Evans Rusike (Supersport United — SA), Admiral Muskwe (Leicester City — England), Knox Mutizwa (G. Arrowsm — SA), Abas Amidu (Arar — Saudi Arabia).
