Has Warriors Coach Ian Gorowa Resigned? 
Even Tanzania coach Maart Nooj was surprised by the manner Zimbabwe surrendered their authority so easily
HARARE — Warriors coach, Ian Gorowa, has reportedly told the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) that he is not leaving the national team contrary to earlier reports Monday indicating that he has thrown in the towel after the squad’s draw with Tanzania on Sunday. ZIFA sources said Gorowa is currently upset about shoddy preparations for the game against the ‘Taifa Stars' but will stay put. “As far as we are concerned he is not going anyway. In fact, he wants the ZIFA executive to do its part in ensuring that the Warriors are given enough time for international matches,” said one of the sources, who asked for anonymity as he was not cleared to talk to Studio 7. The Warriors drew 2-2 with Tanzania in Harare resulting in the elimination of the team from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. Tanzania, who are positioned 122on the FIFA CocaCola World Rankings, beat Zimbabwe 1-0 in the first leg of the preliminary rounds in Dar-Es-Salam two weeks ago to progress to the next stage of the tournament. ZIFA management declined to comment saying they are reviewing the match with Warriors managers. Zimbabwe’s elimination from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals has sent the nation talking. All sorts of theories and suggestions are being drummed up after the Warriors of Zimbabwe were yesterday eliminated from the run for a place at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals. Even up to now, the nation is still trying to come to terms on how a Warriors squad could be eliminated from the tournament by a lowly ranked Tanzanian side that was last at the Africa Cup of Nations finals 34 years ago. Even Tanzania coach Maart Nooj was surprised by the manner Zimbabwe surrendered their authority so easily with the visiting coach saying his team had played more like the Warriors than the Zimbabwean team itself But for Zimbabwean coach Ian Gorowa, the defeat was so bitter that he even refused to talk to the Press after the game. Needing a 2-0 win to sail through to the next stage where Mozambique was waiting the Zimbabweans were held to a two-all draw at home giving the Tanzanians a 3- 2 aggregate passage to the next round. Tanzania had won the first leg 1-0 in Dar-Es-Salaam two weeks ago. Ironically, the Warriors have not won at home since Ian Gorowa took over as coach of the national team from the departed German Klause Dieter Pagels in July last year. All their games against Mauritius, Mozambique, Zambia, and now Tanzania have ended in draws. The Warriors will now be out of international football until 2017 when the qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations and the 2018 World Cup begin. Yet, Zimbabweans had underestimated their route to the finals in Morocco as predicted by many Warriors fans. As Zimbabweans reflect on the Tanzania debacle, it is also important that we also look forward to the future and midfielder Willard Katsande thinks the Warriors will be ready in three year’s time for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. Football fans will now have to turn their attention to the domestic Castle Lager Premier Soccer League which had been suspended to pave way for national team engagements. While the nation is crying over the Warriors defeat, there was better news coming through from South Africa where Zimbabwe’s Stephen Muzhingo finished fourth at the Comrades Marathon. Muzhingi who won the Comrades title from 2009 to 2011, finished just behind minutes behind overall winner Bongumusa Mthembu of South Africa, Ludwick Mamabolo and Gift Kelele all from of South Africa in the 89 kilometre event. The Warriors will now be out of international football until 2017 when the qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations and the 2018 World Cup begin. Yet, Zimbabweans had underestimated their route to the finals in Morocco as predicted by many Warriors fans. As Zimbabweans reflect on the Tanzania debacle, it is also important that we also look forward to the future and midfielder Willard Katsande thinks the Warriors will be ready in three year’s time for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. Football fans will now have to turn their attention to the domestic Castle Lager Premier Soccer League which had been suspended to pave way for national team engagements. While the nation is crying over the Warriors defeat, there was better news coming through from South Africa where Zimbabwe’s Stephen Muzhingo finished fourth at the Comrades Marathon. Muzhingi who won the Comrades title from 2009 to 2011, finished just behind minutes behind overall winner Bongumusa Mthembu of South Africa, Ludwick Mamabolo and Gift Kelele all from of South Africa in the 89 kilometre event.