ANTIPAS IN LOGA’S CORNER
FORMER Warriors coach Joey Antipas has urged fans to rally behind Zdravko Logarusic despite the embarrassing show at the Cosafa Cup.
Antipas is the Croat’s predecessor who played a big role in the team’s qualification to the Afcon finals.
And in an interview with H-Metro Sport yesterday, Antipas has called for patience as calls to have Loga sacked continue.
“For the first time I am questioning myself that maybe I should recheck the definition of support in my dictionary. “Everything takes time and it’s unfortunate that we are expecting the results without listening what the coach has being saying or doing. Results are not an overnight thing; it is a process. When you are laying a foundation, you are destined to be criticised, people will come with different perspectives to destruct your plan. “People have been calling to see new faces in the national team and the coach did justice to their wish,” said Antipas.
Loga’s capability to lead Zimbabwe to glory have been under scrutiny after his ‘returns’ showed an eight percent winning rate.
He has won one match in the 12 he has been in charge and fans, former footballers and analysts believe it is time to end his time.
In fact, his appointment has been described as an experiment by Zifa, which backfired in the end.
Antipas is, however, rallying behind the coach currently occupying the country’s hot seat in coaching.
“This is not the time to fire Logarusic, ZIFA should give a deaf ear to the critics and respect his contract.
“It could have been a different conversation if he had not qualified the nation to the AFCON.
“He gave privilege to the youngsters we had not seen in Warriors colours, it was a brave decision which we must respect. It is unfair to pinpoint everything on him.
“Most of our senior players are now at the twilight of their careers and we are not aware
of that,” said Antipas.
The Chicken Inn coach said Cosafa is a developmental tournament.
“COSAFA is a developmental tournament and it hurts not to do well considering our background but let us not be emotional. I urge him (Logarusic) to be strong. He should stay positive and stick to his ideologies and also fans should uphold his project.
“Rome was not built in one day. As a country we are in the darkest moments and let us not play blame game. We need collective ideas,” he said.
Zimbabwe was in group B with Malawi, Senegal, Namibia and Mozambique. The
Warriors finished with two points scoring three goals in four games, they managed two draws and two defeats. Namibia and the guest Senegal progressed to the semifinals.