Nees wants Warriors to stay grounded

Tadious Manyepo

Sports Reporter

WARRIORS coach Michael Nees could just be what the doctor ordered for Zimbabwean football if his promising start to his tenure is anything to go by.

Upon his appointment last month, the German wasted no time in convincing talisman Khama Billiat to return from retirement from international football.

The Yadah forward was initially not open to the idea but Nees pleaded with those close to Billiat, including Yadah owner Walter Magaya and the club coach Thomas Ruzive, and his family.

He badly needed Billiat in his squad for the back-to-back 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya and Cameroon in Uganda and the remainder of the Group J campaign.

Billiat retired soon after Zimbabwe’s 2022 World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia in 2021 due to apparent frustration, although he avoided stating the actual reasons behind the move.

But when he stepped on the Mandela National Stadium turf in the Pearl of Africa against Kenya, he never showed any signs of rust.

He was the best man on show and he should have registered three assists had his teammates been decisive in front of goal.

Billiat was the key man for Zimbabwe, unlocking every door as the Warriors dominated Cameroon in the second match last Tuesday.

Both matches ended goalless, but it was how the experienced Billiat and his industrious colleagues carried themselves in those matches that left Zimbabweans with renewed confidence that the country would punch their ticket to Morocco next year.

While Nees expressed satisfaction over how the Warriors played, he is keen to see them ultimately qualify for the biannual championship next year.

And he has called on them to keep their eyes on the ball, rather than getting carried away with the seemingly big results, which have earned them two points ahead of next month’s back-to-back clashes against bottom-of-the-table, but unpredictable Namibia.

Kenya’s Harambee Stars lead the standings on four points, the same as Cameroon, after the two teams drew one and won as many games in their opening assignments.

“The team played excellent football, especially in the second match against Cameroon,” said Nees.

“Yes, football is a result game, but there are so many positives to be derived from these first two games.

“It is really encouraging and we must continue to keep the focus and discipline as we continue with the matches. We have kept clean sheets and I am satisfied. It was a very disciplined concentration from the team.’’

The former Seychelles coach is confident that a place at the Nations Cup finals in Morocco is achievable, especially because the top two teams from each group proceed to the tournament.

“I have no doubt that, as Zimbabwe, we stand a chance to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations,” he said.

“We must not be overconfident and think so much about the prize. We need to continue playing like this and be focused.

“The team is slowly adjusting to the philosophy and the way I want them to play. I am glad they are picking up on the patterns and it then becomes easy for me to implement my game plan.

“I am very happy with their showing. They arrived in Uganda knowing full well what they wanted to achieve and it is unfortunate we ended up picking up only two points in games we could have won given the way we played as a team.

“We dominated play in both games and we could have won had we been a bit lucky.”

Nees seems to be getting the best out of the lot, which for years has been seen as average stuff, not least after midfielder Andy Rinomhota and left-back Jordan Zemura played their best games since they became part of the Warriors.

Zemura was in April allegedly involved in an ugly public spat, with his handlers complaining over how former coach Norman Mapeza had treated his British Brigade colleagues and him.

But the Udinese star seems to be enjoying his game under Nees.

Rinomhota said Nees’ influence in the team could be the X factor.

“Yea, the coach has integrated in the group well and we are very happy with how he conducts his business,” he said.

“Everything is looking positive and we hope to continue doing well and hopefully make our dreams come true. So far so good and we are looking forward to more good things as a team.”

The Warriors will no doubt need to remain focused given that the AFCON qualifiers are coming in thick and fast.

They will face the Brave Warriors of Namibia on October 11 and 15.

ZIFA are yet to confirm the venue for the next home assignment, although it is likely to be in South Africa.

The Warriors will be hoping that some of their injured stars — skipper Marvelous Nakamba, striker Tinotenda Kadewere and defender Devine Lunga — will have fully recovered and be available to feature in the crucial games against Namibia.