HARARE —
The Zimbabwe football family is now skeptical about the Warriors chances of qualifying for the 2014 African Nations Championships following its goalless draw against Zambia's Chipolopolo Sunday.
African football dictates that a team that does not win at home does not qualify for major tournaments and the draw has deflated many fans.
Most are of the opinion that the Warriors should have used home advantage in the two-legged tie but stuttered resulting in the draw which gives Zambia an advantage as they will play the return leg at the intimidating Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola this weekend.
Zimbabwe are still to win a game against Zambia away from home since last year and prior to the first leg, Dynamos supporter Philip Musambaruta, had predicted that Zimbabwe would not stand a chance against the Zambians
Ironically, Zimbabwe were at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium only last month on July 20 where they lost 2-0 to surrender the Cosafa Castle Cup they won at expense of the same opponents in 2009.
Even the former chairman of the Sport and Recreation Commission, Retired Major General Gibson Mashingaidze, said Zimbabwe was totally out of the game against the Zambians.
Mashingaidze shares the sentiments of many disappointed fans. Coach Ian Gorowa’s team has to produce something more astounding than they have done in the past if the Warriors are to sail past the Chipolopolo.
Gorowa was at the mercy of the success-starved Zimbabwean soccer loving public as they started chanting his name while at the same time sing glowingly of former national team coach Norman Mapeza soon after the game.
He risks being the first coach in the history of Zimbabwean football to fail to take the team to the African Nations Championships after Zimbabwe qualified under Sunday Chidzambwa at the inauguration tournament in 2009 and under Mapeza in 2011.
African football dictates that a team that does not win at home does not qualify for major tournaments and the draw has deflated many fans.
Most are of the opinion that the Warriors should have used home advantage in the two-legged tie but stuttered resulting in the draw which gives Zambia an advantage as they will play the return leg at the intimidating Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola this weekend.
Zimbabwe are still to win a game against Zambia away from home since last year and prior to the first leg, Dynamos supporter Philip Musambaruta, had predicted that Zimbabwe would not stand a chance against the Zambians
Ironically, Zimbabwe were at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium only last month on July 20 where they lost 2-0 to surrender the Cosafa Castle Cup they won at expense of the same opponents in 2009.
Even the former chairman of the Sport and Recreation Commission, Retired Major General Gibson Mashingaidze, said Zimbabwe was totally out of the game against the Zambians.
Mashingaidze shares the sentiments of many disappointed fans. Coach Ian Gorowa’s team has to produce something more astounding than they have done in the past if the Warriors are to sail past the Chipolopolo.
Gorowa was at the mercy of the success-starved Zimbabwean soccer loving public as they started chanting his name while at the same time sing glowingly of former national team coach Norman Mapeza soon after the game.
He risks being the first coach in the history of Zimbabwean football to fail to take the team to the African Nations Championships after Zimbabwe qualified under Sunday Chidzambwa at the inauguration tournament in 2009 and under Mapeza in 2011.