Warriors must bounce back from defeat

EDITOR — Zimbabwe was handed a reality check on Thursday by Senegal who showed their class by strolling to an easy victory as Africa’s number oneranked football nation powered into the quarter-finals in style and left the Warriors staring possible elimination at the group stage again.

The Warriors played Thursday’s game without any formation. Warriors coach Callisto Pasuwa contributed more to their loss as some of the players who were on the bench deserved to be on the field. After having impressed the world with a stylish show against Algeria in the opening match of their campaign, the Warriors were well beaten by the Lions of Teranga, who could have even powered to a very big victory had it not been for the brilliance of ’keeper Tatenda Mukuruva who had a night to remember between the posts.

National team duty call up for this level of competition is no chance to “develop” talent but rather for the coach to make use of the existing talent in the nation in a tactical way to get the best possible out of the talent. But you see there is a baseline, somewhere to start from. Callisto Pasuwa dropped Danny Phiri against Senegal despite playing well against Algeria. Mukuruva managed to enhance his profile with brilliant saves.

Zimbabwe, though, can still make it to the quarter-finals should they beat Tunisia in their final game today and Algeria lose to this rampant Senegalese side. The Warriors need to up their game after a largely lifeless performance against Senegal.

The Warriors need to win their last game against Tunisia. All the same we wish the Warriors all the best against Tunisia. Tonderai Harutsanye, Harare.