Opinion: Michael Nees Blames Lack Of Fitness & Fatigue As Some Of The Reasons For The Warriors’ Lackluster Performance?
In the wake of Zimbabwe Warriors’ disappointing 1-0 defeat to Lesotho, coach Michael Nees has chosen to deflect responsibility by attributing the team’s lackluster performance to player fatigue, and non-fitness due to insufficient competitive football at the club level.
Speaking to the media after the defeat to Lesotho Nees acknowledged the quality of players at his disposal but blamed the lack of competitive football at the club level
“We have good players, but maybe what they lack is match fitness,” said Warriors coach Michael Nees.
“Only Marshall (Munetsi) is playing regularly on a high level, the rest are either under-21s, sitting on the bench, or not even in the match-day squad.
And fatigue, we have players for example who could not be selected for Lesotho because they had gone over the limit against South Africa (three days after), you see,” said Nees.
While these factors may indeed play a role in the team’s struggles, it is both simplistic and irresponsible for Nees to place the blame squarely on his players without acknowledging his own shortcomings as a coach.
Firstly, we have to note that Nees is part of the technical team that selects these players to come play in the national team, why pick a player who you know is unfit and can not give what you expect from them? This is just scapegoating the real issues.
Secondly, it is essential to recognize that coaching is not just about managing players on the pitch; it also involves preparing them mentally and physically for the challenges they face. Nees has had ample time to assess the fitness levels of his squad and implement training regimens that could mitigate fatigue. Instead of fostering a culture of resilience and adaptability, he seems to have accepted mediocrity as a norm. A successful coach should be able to inspire and motivate players to rise above their circumstances, rather than using them as scapegoats for his own failures.
Moreover, the argument regarding a lack of competitive football at the club level is a weak excuse. Many national teams face similar challenges, yet they find ways to cultivate talent and build cohesive units. Nees has had the opportunity to develop strategies that could compensate for these gaps, yet the Warriors have finished the World Cup qualifiers with a dismal record of no wins in ten games, five draws, and five losses.
This is not merely a reflection of the players’ abilities or circumstances; it is a clear indication of poor tactical planning and execution.
Additionally, blaming fatigue and fitness issues overlooks the fundamental problem of team cohesion and strategy. The Warriors have shown a lack of identity and purpose on the field, which points to a failure in Nees’ ability to instill a clear game plan. A coach must adapt to the strengths and weaknesses of his players, and it is evident that Nees has not done so effectively. Instead of fostering a competitive spirit, he has allowed the team to stagnate, leading to a series of uninspired performances.
Solution
The Warriors need to change their tactical approach for a start and switch to a more attacking formation (4:3:3 or 3:4:3) that allows for more offensive players on the field if they are to make any impact at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco come December.
The team needs to score goals to win matches, so more focus must be placed on the forwards providing specialized training for them.
