The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
THE Warriors’ disastrous start to the 2002 World Cup qualifiers, following a 3-0 thumping in Guinea and the subsequent sacking of then coach Clemence Westerhof, dominated local football debate in the run-up to the fateful match against South Africa next month.
Westerhof, whose selection was heavily questioned by the local press after the humiliation in Conakry, was fired 13 days before the World Cup qualifier against South Africa and Misheck Chidzambwa was appointed caretaker coach.
He was given a short period to steady the ship after Westerhof’s departure.
He also inherited a disgruntled dressing room as the Dutchman appeared to favour emerging talents like Thulani Ncube, Joel Lupahla and Nqobizitha Ncube at the expense of the old guard represented by Adam Ndlovu, Agent Sawu, Tauya Murewa, Wilfred Mugeyi and Vitalis Takawira.
Although Chidzambwa restored faith in veterans Sawu and Mugeyi, Zimbabwe still suffered an infamous 0-2 loss against rivals South Africa at the National Sports Stadium on July 9, 2000.
Muzondiwa Mugadza, Edelbert Dinha, Innocent Chikoya, Thulani Ncube, Norman Mapeza, Kalisto Pasuwa, Desmond Maringwa, Ronald Sibanda and Peter Ndlovu also started in that match.
Benjani Mwaruwari came on for Sawu, William Mugeyi for Chikoya, while Nqobizitha Ncube replaced Sibanda.
That was then.
This time around the Warriors camp is tranquil.
Team manager Wellington Mpandare is almost done with call-ups and is expected to release the provisional squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against South Africa this week.
National team coach Zdravko Logarusic, who is on a holiday in his native country Croatia, is now expected back in the country on May 11.
Zimbabwe host South Africa in their opening match of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers during the weekend of June 5 to June 6, in a match that harks back to that ill-fated afternoon of July 9, 2000 when the Warriors lost 0-2 before 13 fans perished in a stampede.
Police fired teargas to control an angry crowd and in the ensuing stampede, 13 fans lost their lives.
Senegalese referee Falla N’Doye called off the match in the 82nd minute.
It’s now 21 years after that incident but some of the Warriors players who took part in that match still have emotional scars.
England-based former Warriors striker Mwaruwari views the upcoming match against Bafana Bafana as a “perfect opportunity” to right the wrong of July 9, 2000.
“That was a sad day for Zimbabwean football.
“You know our fans always want us to win, especially when we are playing at home, but on that day we disappointed them big time,” Mwaruwari told The Sunday Mail Sport.
“But, in football, if you lose first time out, you have to correct it the second time.
“So this game is our chance as Zimbabwe to right that wrong.
“South Africa are not doing well at the moment, and we have a big chance of upsetting them this time around.
“The current crop of players is doing well, our strikers Prince (Dube), Knowledge Musona and Kadewere (Tino) are all doing well.
“Those playing in South Africa like Knox (Mutizwa) are also dominating there, so this game has come at the right time,” he said.
The former Manchester City striker said there was no room for excuses.
“This is a difficult group. Ghana prepares well and Ethiopia are difficult to beat at home.
“We should do everything possible to win this opening game against South Africa, and to those fans who perished in that disaster, I say may their souls continue to rest in eternal peace,” he said.
Legendary former national team gunslinger, Sawu, feels the memories of July 2000 should inspire the current crop of players to victory against South Africa.
“In terms of motivation, that game in 2000 serves the purpose,” says Sawu.
“It was bad for the country.
“There isn’t really much to talk about that game besides negative memories, so the coaches have to do their part in motivating the boys.
“ZIFA have to also play their part.
“We have an advantage, our players dominate in the South African league, so if we carry that positive mind into the game, we will do it.
“We have got players that are competing in big leagues, we have a good crop of players, but all the stakeholders have to play their part.
“I am saying Zimbabwe right now has a good chance of sailing through this group,” said the 1993 Soccer Star of the Year.
Zimbabwe are in Group G alongside West African giants Ghana, Ethiopia and South Africa.
After hosting South Africa, the Warriors will travel to Addis Ababa before playing the Black Stars in back-to-back clashes.
