(Dec 19, 05) GREETINGS Zimbabwe. Sorry I could not write my article last week due to both national team and club commitments, but I’m happy I managed to get that done.
It is my desire to elevate Dutchman Dick de Boer to the post of technical adviser.
I feel since Sunday “Mhofu” Chidzambwa has requested to be excused for now, De Boer may be just the right man to fill that role considering his qualifications and vast experience in Europe.
This is because I now have two able assistants – Willard Mashinkila-Khumalo and David Mandigora.
De Boer will be coming on December 27 after sorting out personal commitments.
However, this does not affect our plans as we are still focusing on maintaining fitness and will start on tactics once everyone has arrived.
The team is finally in camp and the players we called, as part of the provisional squad, have all turned up.
I had to include Lloyd Chitembwe, Lazarus Muhoni and Johannes Ngodzo because of their improved performance.
To improve on our body mass index as indicated in my earlier article, I would want the country to be represented
by what I call “big players” and of course we won’t overlook the other technical requirements of a balanced team.
The competitions in Africa and Europe generally favour players weighing between 74 and 78kgs and not less than 1.7 metres in height. That is what we should work around apart from other requirements. It does not necessarily follow that there will be no place for smaller players, but they will have to make up for the height and weight inadequacies.
I must state that the odds are against those without my expectations for this tournament.
I believe it’s important for our supporters to understand why I may not call some of the talented players
in the league who fall short of this basic requirement.
I have been in touch with all the players and I’m happy to report that they have been forthcoming,
telling me their problems and also desire to join camp. Once one is a commander and the soldiers cease
bringing their concerns to his or her attention, then the soldiers would have lost confidence in you.
The technical department is now in place and I believe, for the good of our football, we have to integrate all
our national teams hence my decision to engage Mandigora and Khumalo as my assistants. Right now we do not have a
player below 21 years in the team and that is a cause for concern.
A concerted effort will usher in a new era where my assistants identify young players to integrate into the senior national team and enable us to blend the experience and speed required at this level. Overall, Mandigora and Khumalo are expected to monitor their respective regions, that is the north and south of Zimbabwe as we did in the past.
I shall still be there to oversee this process and liaise with them as we search for talent for the nationalteam. Email charlesmhlauri@yahoo.comand visit www.charlesmhlauri.com
