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CALLISTO PASUWA . . . “We just have to be very careful in terms of our approach, forget about the name Comoros and just go in there and fight”

Petros Kausiyo Deputy Sports Editor
WARRIORS coach Callisto Pasuwa has warned that the biggest challenge facing his team ahead of tomorrow’s African Nations Championships qualifier against Comoros is that of psyching his players to treat their opponents with respect.

The Warriors will begin their bid for a place at the 2016 CHAN tournament with what appears an easy home assignment against lowly Comoros at Rufaro tomorrow.

Zimbabwe are in buoyant mood following their crucial 2-1 victory over Malawi in their African Cup of Nations Group L qualifier in Blantyre last Saturday.

The players’ spirits were yesterday further lifted when the Premier Soccer League bought groceries and foodstuffs to be used by the Warriors during their camp.

Pasuwa’s men defied all the odds to douse the Flames.

That victory torched wild celebrations across the country and gave the nation a sense of belief in the Warriors’ capabilities again.

Pasuwa has blended some of the heroes of the Nations Cup triumph over Malawi with the national Under-23 players as well as some of the top performers from the domestic Premiership but issued a chilling warning that the CHAN assignment would not be an easy stroll in the park.

“This is one game that going to be very difficult for us having gone to Malawi against the background of those difficulties and come back with a result,” said Pasuwa.

“I have been hearing people saying that if we could win in Malawi, after what we went through, then Comoros will be very easy because we have had a few days to train together.

“It doesn’t work like that, it will not be a walkover. We have to fight even harder than we did in Malawi in order to get a result.

“It’s more of a psychological challenge first and we will have to keep hammering the message to the boys that the game has not been won because I can see that everyone thinks that this match has already been won.

“We just have to be very careful in terms of our approach, forget about the name Comoros and just go in there and fight.

“When we played Swaziland we had just returned from Cameroon with a result and everyone though it was going to be very easy but we had to win the hard way after struggling at home.”

Pasuwa also appealed for patience from the fans for his cast of homegrown talent as they go about their business at Rufaro tomorrow.

“Most of the players I have are yet to get used to pressure and people will need to be patient with them if they take a little time to get into top gear. I am also saying to the players they should try to remain focused even if some fans boo at them,” said Pasuwa.

Pasuwa said he had been forced to try and make the best out of the difficult situation the national teams find themselves in by ensuring that his Young Warriors who are chasing a 2016 Olympic dream also get exposure in the senior side.

“We have another big game in July against the South Africa and we need to have the Under-23 players in shape too hence the mixture of players so that we try to win every game.’’

Pasuwa also explained the rationale behind the exclusion of CAPS United leftback Ronald Pfumbidziai from the squad.

“I was not too sure about his status now that he is going to Europe, I opted to be cautious rather than risk us being disqualified in the case that he has become ineligible following reports that he has been sold to Denmark.

“But as coach I don’t look at a club when picking players, I look at various things like discipline, talent, commitment and I also consider players who can easily understand the difficult conditions that national teams are operating in where sometimes you do not get any allowances.

“So it is not about being a CAPS United player or a Gunners player.

“I also find it strange that some people are saying Gibson Mahachi should not be my manager because he manages some players and, therefore, will end up picking the team but I am a professional and there is no conflict of interest there.

“I am not the first coach he has managed and he is not the first manager for a coach, all those coaches like Rahman Gumbo, Mhofu (Sunday Chidzambwa), Madinda and Norman (Mapeza) had managers but we are professionals.

“In any case when I choose a squad I do that in consultation with my technical team and it is funny that some people want to raise the issue of who is my manager when the national teams have big problems that need everyone’s sup- port.”

The former Dynamos coach has soldiered on and continued to take care of the national teams despite being unpaid for nine months and revealed he has been touched by the support he has this week been receiving from fans and well-wishers.

“I am humbled by the fact that this week some well-wishers have been sending varying amounts on EcoCash, some $10, some $20 just to support and I appreciate it, Mwari vavawedzere pavarikukamura ipapo and I really appreciate that.

“The fact that the PSL has also come out in full support shows that we are not alone in this cause and it is gratifying to know that we are in this together and that is the only way we can succeed,’’ Pasuwa said.