Harare, Zimbabwe — Zimbabwe head coach Michael Nees has injected a contemporary dose of controversy into the build-up to the World Cup qualifier versus South Africa, making mild of Bafana Bafana’s personal disciplinary worries and underlining that his aspect might be going for victory — partly to spice up their rating and partly to spark pleasure again residence.
At a latest press briefing, Nees playfully rifled via his squad record and declared: “Okay, now let me look if there isn’t a yellow card… let me test once more… yellow playing cards are okay. You by no means know. Two, 3 times, double test; it seems good. If I’m not mistaken, now we have no yellow card gamers.”
Whereas delivered with a smile, the remarks are clearly meant to sting — particularly in mild of South Africa’s latest scandal.
Earlier within the qualifying marketing campaign, Bafana Bafana have been docked three factors by FIFA for fielding the suspended Teboho Mokoena in a match in opposition to Lesotho, a ruling that despatched shockwaves via Group C.
Although Zimbabwe’s personal qualification hopes could also be slim, Nees insists that his group is not going to merely undergo the motions.
He mentioned the Warriors will struggle for victory to enhance their FIFA rating, restore nationwide satisfaction, and convey pleasure to their followers throughout the nation. “It’s not simply in regards to the factors,” he mentioned, “it’s about exhibiting that Zimbabwe can compete, regardless of who we play.”
A win over South Africa would even have symbolic weight — not solely to frustrate their southern rivals however to reveal the Warriors’ resilience and ambition underneath Nees. By brazenly mocking South Africa’s disciplinary slip, the Zimbabwe coach appears intent on sowing doubt whereas assuring his personal gamers that there aren’t any excuses on his bench.
The 2 groups will face one another on October 10 on the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban earlier than South Africa tackle Rwanda of their closing group match. For South Africa, wins in each video games are important in the event that they nonetheless hope to achieve the World Cup straight. In the meantime, Zimbabwe see this as an opportunity to spoil a rival’s ambitions whereas regaining satisfaction and momentum.
Nees’ cheeky “yellow card audit” would possibly appear to be light-hearted banter — however behind the humour, there may be metal. Zimbabwe are saying loud and clear: they’re coming to win — not only for factors, however to ship a message.
