Dismal Warriors End 2014 World Cup Quest on a Low
Warriors ended their quest at the bottom of their group and now the national soccer team coaches are pointing fingers at ZIFA for the team’s loss
HARARE — When Brazil won the bid to host the World Cup in 2014, Zimbabweans were among those who celebrated, hoping maybe this time around the Zimbabwe Football Association would put its act together and create a team that would represent the country at the showcase. But that was not to be. The Warriors ended their quest at the bottom of their group and now the national soccer team coaches are pointing fingers at ZIFA for their team’s poor World Cup showing, especially against Mozambique Sunday Fans sang and danced but even they could not inspire a team that failed to string one or two passes together, was slow on the ball, and lost possession unnecessarily. In the end, they left Rufaro Stadium shaking their heads in disbelief after being treated to a mediocre performance by a team that has failed to win a competitive match at home since beating little Burundi 1-0 in April last year. Although the game against the Mambas ended one-all, those who were there admit that the Warriors were lifeless adding that the Mambas were unlucky not to have won due to the brilliance of goalkeeper George Chigova. But national team coaches are pointing guns at both the Zimbabwe Football Association and the Premier Soccer League as the reasons why the Warriors put up such a pathetic show. Coach Ian Gorowa said he warned Zimbabweans not to expect much from a team that had only two training sessions due the midweek matches that were staged ahead of the national team requirements. Gorowa said he had asked the Zimbabwe Football Association to cancel the PSL matches so he could have his team in camp for a longer period. But that was not to be, ZIFA did not listen. Team manager Patrick Muteswa concured with Gorowa, adding the national team is not being taken seriously. Gorowa said preparations like the one just gone by does not guarantee success, adding that those running the game should ensure that the players are given enough time in camp if better results are to come. 1981 Castle Soccer Star of the Year David Mangidora, a former Dynamos and Warriors assistant coach, noted that the Warriors need time as they have too many problems to work on. The Warriors left Monday morning for an international friendly match against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana set for Orlando Stadium Tuesday. It remains to be seen whether ZIFA will change and start prioritizing the Warriors, even with the scarce resources at their disposal as fans and managers alike blame the football mother body for failing to put the team and its needs ahead of everything else if they are to bring national glory on the soccer field.