Brito’s Warriors plan

IT is understandable that some are already doubting Baltemar Brito’s tactical nous, especially given Highlanders’ performance in recent weeks, but the 71-year-old coach insists he is capable of doing “something good” for Zimbabwe football.

Bosso have been wobbling since August 28 when champions FC Platinum ended their 19-game unbeaten start to the season at Mandava Stadium.

But by then Brito had done enough to convince the ZIFA Normalisation Committee that he was the best man they were looking for to take charge of the senior national team — the Warriors.

The Brazilian began his Warriors journey with a defeat, albeit after penalties, against Botswana’s Zebras in a hastily arranged Independence Cup tie in Gaborone last Saturday.

The Warriors lost the invitational match 3-4 on penalties after the match had ended 1-1 in regulation time.

Exactly 24 hours later, Brito was back to Bosso duties and fell to another defeat in the penalty shoot-out.

This time, his side crashed out of the Chibuku Super Cup when they were knocked out on penalties by CAPS United after both sides had been tied 2-2 in regulation time at Barbourfields Stadium.

As global football shifts to the FIFA international break this week, Brito naturally falls back into the spotlight.

A number of countries have already lined up and confirmed international friendly fixtures.

In fact, for African teams, this is the last window before they plunge into the 2026 World Cup qualifying marathon.

Sadly for Brito, the Normalisation Committee are still to finalise Zimbabwe’s opponents during the FIFA break.

But Brito has resolved not to rest on his laurels and is already looking forward to the break.

He revealed his keenness to personally talk to key Warriors players, who include Luton Town midfielder Marvelous Nakamba and Marshall Munetsi of Stade Reims.

The process of engaging other foreign-based players has already begun.

“Our plan is to try and create the strongest squad possible,” Brito told The Sunday Mail Sport.

“I think we are on the right pathway; we are on the right track, it’s a question of time, it’s a process, we believe we will do something good for Zimbabwe football.”

With the Confederation of African Football (CAF) shelving the staging of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers indefinitely, attention will now be on the World Cup qualifiers next month.

The Warriors are in Group C, which includes Nigeria, South Africa, Benin, Rwanda and Lesotho.

The Warriors will play Rwanda in Kigali in their opening World Cup qualifier on November 13 before hosting Nigeria seven days later.

Brito made no secret of his eagerness to watch and assess some of the foreign legion in action before he finalises his World Cup squad.

Zimbabwe have a number of players dotted across various leagues in South Africa, Europe and the Americas.

They include Tino Kadewere (Lyon), Munashe Garananga (Sheriff Tiraspol), Teenage Hadebe (Houston Dynamo), Terrence Dzvukamanja (SuperSport United), Nakamba and Munetsi.

There is also a growing list of players of Zimbabwean origin in England, although most of them are still rookies who are playing in the development ranks at clubs such as Liverpool (Isaac Mabaya), Brentford (Marley Tavaziva) and Ipswich Town (Tawanda Chirewa).

“If it’s possible, we will go there (Europe and South Africa) to watch some games. The idea is to make the strongest squad possible ahead of the World Cup qualifiers,” Brito said.

His stint at Bosso has enabled him to get a good look at players in the domestic Premiership.

The game against Botswana also afforded him a brief moment to preach his football style to players like Tanaka Shandirwa (Dynamos), Peter Muduhwa (Highlanders), Obriel Chirinda (Bulawayo Chiefs), Fortune Binzi (Manica Diamonds), Walter Musona (FC Platinum) and Donald Mudadi (Dynamos).

“Our assessment of the players was good; it was the first time that we met and the first time that we showed them the game plan that we want to put in practice, but I am happy with the performance of the boys,” he said.

Leading Premiership striker Chirinda scored a wonder goal against the Zebras but the hosts did not take long before levelling matters to drag the encounter to penalties.

“As the national team coaches, we should be paying attention to all the players who can play. So, we will work on it, try and assess more players.

“From this, we will make the choice for the World Cup qualifications.”

Brito will be in charge of the Warriors at least until June 2024.

He will be assisted by Dynamos coach Genesis Mangombe and Hwange’s Bongani Mafu.

The trio will initially be in charge of four World Cup qualifiers before their tenure expires on June 30, 2024.

But should FIFA decide to extend the term of office of Lincoln Mutasa’s committee, that might also mean a longer spell with the Warriors for Brito.

After facing Rwanda and Nigeria in November, Zimbabwe must also square off against Lesotho and South Africa in June 2024.

“We are working with the Normalisation Committee to create a good standard so that we show a bigger picture of Zimbabwean football.

“I am very happy with the people I have found and they are working with me well,” Brito said.