BY HENRY MHARA
WARRIORS coach Zdravko Logarušic has demanded an improvement from his players when they take on Ethiopia in their second Fifa World Cup Group H qualifier at the Bahir Dar Stadium tomorrow.
The match kicks off at 3pm Zimbabwean time.
Zimbabwe put up a lethargic show in their opening match of the campaign on their way to a nil-all draw at home against neighbours South Africa on Friday.
Logarušic was left frustrated by individual and collective performances.
He picked out goalkeeper Talbert Shumba and Thabani Kamusoko for criticism after the draw, and there was also implied censure on the performance of winger Kudakwashe Mahachi.
“We have to improve from our first game, to have better transition when we receive the ball to make it move a bit quicker between the lines and try to finish our attacks quicker,” Logarušic said yesterday.
“We have to be quicker in our counter attacks, but at the same time have a bit of patience by moving the ball around. The ball should do the running for us. Those are some of the things which we should improve on including creating some extra numbers in attack especially from our wingers. We didn’t have lots of support the last time.”
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It is understood the coach has turned to Germany-based midfielder Jonah Fabisch to provide the much-needed spark in midfield.
The 20-year-old youngster who was an unused substitute against South Africa is set to start ahead of Kamusoko to play alongside Marshal Munetsi, for his debut in the Warriors colours.
He is one of the several changes that Logarušic is expected to make for this match.
Wingers Ishamel Wadi and Perfect Chikwende are expected to be named in the starting eleven with Khama Billiat and captain Knowledge Musona as twin strikers.
Washington Arubi is also expected to be picked ahead of Shumba in the goalkeeping department.
Ethiopia lost their opening group match to Ghana, but put up a spirited display to concede just one goal in Accra, Ghana.
The Warriors technical team has had time to analyse the match and Logarušic was left convinced that they will have to bring their A game if they are to get anything from this game.
“Ethiopia is not an easy team to play against,” Loga said. “Their boys are ball players and they are fit because their league is on. They created a lot of problems for Ghana and they only made one mistake by the goalkeeper to concede a goal.
“Defensively, we have to stay compact because the opposition makes some very good runs with a lot of short passes. They always look for spaces between lines. And when we regain possession, the ball should quickly go through and not going left and right. We should arrive in the scoring area as quick as possible.”
Warriors possible 11
W Arubi, T Chimwemwe, O Bhasera, A Mudimu, D Lunga, J Fabisch, M Munetsi, P Chikwende, I Wadi, K Billiat, K Musona
Follow Henry on Twitter @henrymhara
