The Sunday News
Cosmas Zulu
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. I have mentioned this for years that Zifa should understand that the good performance of the team starts on the their part with planning accompanied by sound management.
The Warriors however, in the 2019 Afcon qualifier against Liberia missed golden chances in 18th, 37th, 43th, 56th and 70th minutes, though it’s a good sign, giving a picture of created moves into the opponents box.
We need good precision in the face of goals in March 2019 if we have to be in Cameroon for the big soccer show in Africa.
Just a suggestion, the technical staff needs a technical secretary, one who will help the head coach by giving him some statistics and previous line-ups for him to see some combinations which gave him results, rather than select the team based on big names of players and where they play outside the country. This gave some short comings in the Liberia game.
Physio-team doctor
The little man in a tracksuit who sprints on with a kit bag whenever one of his team players goes down injured or just wants a word of reassurance from father figure does absolutely nothing else all week. He just sprints on with his magic bag when one of the side gets hurt, when he gets to the player much groaning takes place on the part of the player.
And much rubbing of the thighs supporting of shoulders and asking “Are you alright lad?” by the physio takes place, the thigh rubbing aspect has been responsible for attraction of many players into football.
Those of that number have frequently had to be restrained from elaborate thigh massaging when it was the player’s shoulder that was hurt in the first place.
System of play
Those who believe that the most important single aspect in soccer is the system of play and many people would be well advised to take heed of the well-known adage, “A little learning is a dangerous thing,” it is quite extraordinary how people have become obsessed with systems of play, yet it should be obvious that there is no system which will overcome inaccurate passing or shooting, none which will improve ball control, none which allows for players who will not support each other and none which allows for players who cannot or will not run so why are so many people obsessed by system of play?
Police teams clash
I also had a chance to watch a match between ZRP sides, Queens Park versus West Commonage which was won by Queens Park 4-1 at AmaZulu ground last week. In attendance were soccer legends, the likes of Lawrence Phiri, Earnest Sibanda, Zenzo Moyo all former Highlanders players.
I cannot conclude without thanking Townshed and Butcher family for sponsoring this worthy cause for the past 25 years. We need healthy minds and bodies of our police force.
Until next week let’s keep reading. Feedback [email protected] / 0773842671
