Warriors’ Attacking Weakness Exposed In Uninspiring Draw Against Kenya
Zimbabwe Warriors’s frustrating nil all draw against Kenya in the opening group J Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Friday exposed the growing trend by the team of failing to score goals and it is becoming worrisome.
The Warriors have conceded thirteen goals and scored only eight goals in the last ten international matches, losing four times, drawing three and managing three wins in the process with Walter Musona (2), Michael Tapera (2), Macauley Bonne (1), Takunda Benhura (1) and Tawanda Chirewa (1) providing the goals including an own goal by Joseph Okumu in 3-1 loss to Kenya in the Cosafa final. .
The team’s failure to score goals became more apparent after the Warriors struggled to find the back of the net in their recent game against Kenya despite having a new enthusiastic coach and players who are in good form at club level and are capable to do the job with easy.
Perhaps it’s too early for the coach to effect changes since this was his first game in charge, but the inheritance of this scoring weakness trend in the team is becoming worrisome and has left many pundits and fans with as many questions as answers despite the fresh mood in the camp.
Zimbabwe’s major problem isn’t about ‘need time to gel’ , a constant explanation for their underperformance after almost every international competition. It wasn’t even necessarily about fitness No, instead it was about tactics.
The lack of tactical variety has been so astonishing, everytime same players are used on same positions and it has not been working.
The draw with Kenya has highlighted the underlying problem that has been shrouding the national team for quite some time now.
Theories as to what the new coach can do to improve his team going forward have been suggested from corner to corner.
Everybody wonders why a good side like Zimbabwe so packed with young talent, who play for big clubs around the world that press high, able to keep the ball and play with more intensity in the press are sitting back and too passive when on international duty.
The players are not being used to their full potential and it’s affecting the whole squad.
It is day dreaming to expect a different result when you don’t change your approach to the game. If the system is not working, why not change it.
For instance, Nyasha Munetsi has not been effective in the defensive midfield role for a long time, why not drop him at center back and bring in Richard Hachiro in his position to partner the ever enterprising Andrew Rinomhota in the central midfield.
Jordan Zemura could be very much effective on a more offensive role or as a deep lying-playmaker in a 4-3-2-1 formation where he could utilize his speed and left-foot to provide those crucial crosses in the box but constantly dropping deep in the midfield to help retrieve the ball.
The inform Khama Billiat could be given the free role as the number 10 with Tawanda Chirewa operating from the right-wing.
The striking position has been the most deficiency in the team. Zimbabwe Warriors need a natural goal scorer who can be able to convert even half chances into goals. Tinotenda Kadewere, Prince Dube and Douglas Mapfumo have been hugely used in this position but have lacked the sheer tenacity and sharpness needed in front of goals.
Obriel Chirinda is in excellent goal scoring form at Ngezi Platinum and could do a perfect job as the number nine against Cameroon or Tawanda Maswanhise with his technical intelligence and eye for goal could also make a good nine for the Warriors going forward.
Zimbabwe Warriors Probable XI vs Cameroon
Marley Tavaziva, Godknows Murwira, Gerald Takwara, Munashe Garananga, Nyasha Munetsi, Andrew Rinomhota, Tawanda Chirewa, Richard Hachiro, Obriel Chirinda, Khama Billiat, Jordan Zemura
Formation : 4-5-1 (4-3-2-1)
