WARRIORS’ coach Norman Mapeza is optimistic of a bright future for the senior men's national football team after assessing a new crop of players at the ongoing four-nation tournament which culminates in the final today.
Zimbabwe take on Kenya in the final of the four-nation tournament at Bingu National Stadium after dispatching Zambia in the semi-final in which the Harambee Stars trounced Malawi.
Mapeza, who previously said he is assessing players who are joining camp for the first time, is likely to throw in the likes of Brendan Galloway, Shane Maroodza, Tivonge Rushesha, Joey Phuti, Tawanda Maswanhise and Marley Tavaziva who did not get game time against Chipolopolo.
The Warriors beat Zambia 6-5 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 scoreline in normal time in the semi-final of the tournament on Saturday with Macauley Bonne and Walter Musona on target in open play for Zimbabwe while Daniel Msendami scored the winner in the spot-kicks.
Mapeza is satisfied with the composition of the squad and after beating Zambia he said the future is bright for local football.
“I just came here with this team and started training a few days ago. It is about mental strength, confidence and belief. That is what these guys showed. If our federation is going to keep the bulk of these players, I tell you the future looks bright for our football,” Mapeza said.
The Warriors’ gaffer said he is ready for the final and morale is high in camp.
“We played so well and morale is high in our camp. We are not looking forward to the final game against Kenya tomorrow (today)…I am looking forward to the same approach, same mentality that we had against Zambia when we play Kenya tomorrow and as for the rankings I was not reading much into that. I last played Kenya when we played the Cecafa Cup but things have changed. Look how they played a few days ago; it was fantastic, the spirit, the play, the defending, the way they attacked through the flanks. It was very solid. I think it is going to be an entertaining game tomorrow. We are ready,” Mapeza said.
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Since 1982, the Warriors have met the Harambee Stars 10 times and only won once in 1985 beating Kenya 2-0 at Barbourfields Stadium to lift the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) Cup with goals coming from the late Shacky Tauro and Gift Mpariwa.
In their last outing, the two sides played a goalless draw at Rufaro Stadium in a Fifa World Cup qualifier in 2008 and the Warriors had lost the reverse fixture 2-0.
The Warriors have won once, lost five times and drew four times against the Harambee Stars.
Kenya coach Engin Firat is reported to have said he is not worried about winning the trophy but improving his players ahead of upcoming continental assignments.
“We are waiting for Tuesday’s Four Nation Tournament final matchup with Zimbabwe. But winning the trophy in Malawi is not our first objective. We’re here to help players improve, especially those who received their first call-up. The trophy holds little significance for me. What matters most to me is the progress of players I’ve given opportunities,” Firat said.
He is also quoted on a Kenyan publication, Citizen Digital saying: “Even if you win 4-0, you have to be humble lest it makes your team more relaxed.
Then, a team which comes from 2-0 to 2-2 has more motivation and belief, which they (Zimbabwe) did against Zambia. Therefore, we will see tomorrow [today].”
He added: “There are two components about it; one is tactical part - how we develop the team tactically matters. The second part is the team which I will have in June. Like I said in the Press conference before, these teams here are not Morocco or Senegal, they don’t have at least 25 top players. So, it depends, if one key player is missing, it will affect the entire team a lot. Therefore, if I put this team together and they are mentally ready, we will have good results in June.”
