FANS CHARM NEES

Innocent Kurira

WARRIORS coach Michael Nees enjoyed his first assignment, in the presence of the Warriors’ fans, at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on Monday night.

The German coach, though, is not getting carried away despite taking the Warriors to the brink of a place at the 2025 AFCON finals.

“It was nice to play in front of a crowd. I don’t know how many there were but the noise was definitely more than they were.

“It was a tough game against a strong opponent.

“They have a very strong attacking line. Their front three are very dangerous and you have to be alert if you give them space they can really punish you.

“They pressed very high and it was difficult to get out of that press. We knew when fatigue comes in, and we probably get a goal, things will become easier.

“So we are happy with the victory,” said Nees.

He will have little time to enjoy the comfort of being a point away from qualifying for the 2025 AFCON finals as he shifts focus to his next assignment against Eswatini in a CHAN 2025 Qualifier next week.

Back-to-back over Namibia took Zimbabwe closer to a place at the AFCON finals in Morocco next year.

“We would still be in even if we lost against Namibia,” he said.

“We would still have had it in our own hands.

“But, we wanted to be in a good position so we adjusted our objectives a little bit.

“We can be happy but there are still six points to play for. You don’t know how Namibia will re-group after this.”

The German coach also explained how he has changed his starting line-up in the four games he has been in charge.

“A national team consists of 20 to 30 players and we want two or three players in every position so that when something happens, we substitute properly.

“We have to find the best strategy for each game and pick the best players for that game,” said Nees.

The gaffer also spoke on the chances of Kaizer Chiefs forward Ranga Chivaviro making the Warriors team.

“We have a long list of players and we are interested in every good player. But we also have good players here.

“We’re monitoring everybody and when the time is right, we will decide whether to approach him or not. It’s not just that someone is playing at Kaizer Chiefs.

“We observe every player but we should also praise those we already have.”

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