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03 June 2008
By Robson Sharuko
Zimbabwe's Warriors finally buried the Ghost of Conakry at the September 28 Stadium on Sunday night - winning a big point and, crucially, boosting their psychological strength for their forthcoming challenges in their battle to qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals.
Burdened by a history of failure by previous visits by the Warriors to these shores and still haunted by their failure to qualify for the last Nations Cup finals, the Warriors were largely expected to surrender in the humidity of Conakry.
A mid-afternoon storm that pounded this city - a few hours before the match - made their task even harder with the pitch turning into a slippery surface where the control and judgment of the ball's movement became a nightmare. The Warriors were largely expected to turn into easy prey for the National Elephants in their own backyard.
After all, two battalions of the Warriors had travelled to this city, in the same stadium on similar assignments, and had been soundly beaten by the raging Elephants.
The first defeat came in 1993 when Reinhard Fabisch's Dream Team was soundly beaten 3-0 here by a side inspired by Titi Camara, who was part of the crowd at the September 28 on Sunday.
The second defeat was a 0-3 thrashing at the hands of the Elephants when the Warriors came here in 1999. The odds were on Guinea making it a trio of 3-0 winning margins. After all, they were playing at home, they had been together for a long time, they had impressed at the last Nations Cup finals and they had recently been ranked among the top five teams in Africa.
They also had Pascal Feindonou -- the irresistible playmaker rated one of the finest on the continent. In contrast, this group of Warriors was only playing their first competitive game under their Brazilian coach Valinhos and while they had spent three days preparing at home, the Elephants were coming from a training camp in France. Valinhos had brought a cocktail of youth and experience -- deciding there was a reason Harlington Shereni was a success in France and recalling him from the world of international football wilderness.
Shereni's height and strength were just what Valinhos believed was needed for a tough away challenge against the West Africans and he was thrown into the starting XI in central midfield. Joseph Ngwenya had tried, and failed, to break into the Warriors before, but Valinhos felt there was something special about his touch and clever movements and gave him his international debut in the starting XI on the right side of midfield.
The Brazilian coach was also impressed with Cephas Chimedza's touch and gave him the responsibility to be the creative hub of a team that has always cried for a playmaker. Onismor Bhasera -- the young Kaizer Chiefs attacking defender with a talent that promises so much -- was thrown on the left side of defence and responded with a man-of-the-match performance down that wing.
There was a familiar look to the other places -- Zvenyika Makonese and James Matola in central defence, the impressive David Kutyauripo on the right shoulder of that defence, Energy Murambadoro in goals and Benjani and Gilbert Mushangazhike in attack. There were a number of faces from that lifeless and, ultimately, failed campaign for Ghana. But something was different.
Where we were a lifeless ocean the last time, now we appeared an island of life.
Where we were a desert of darkness the last time, now we appeared to be an oasis of life.
Where we were a bunch of hopelessness the last time, now we appeared to be a battalion full of hope.
Where we were a confused troop crying out for guidance and direction that never came, now we were an oasis of confidence.
Where we were a group that was beginning to lose the trust in its talents the last time, now we were men of steel walking the Believer's Journey. There were concerns at the beginning when the bombardment from the home side forced all those corner-kicks but once the Warriors had weathered that storm, they began to dictate the terms. Bhasera and Chimedza's combination down the left was opening avenues while Ngwenya struggled in the initial stages to impose himself down the right side of the attack.
Still the Warriors played as a team -- covering well for each other's shortcomings and cheering the spirits of their teammates on the occasions that others failed to complete the move. There was a clear commitment to their defensive duties and in the first half Benjani spent more time in his own half -- conscious of the need to help his defence -- than upfront. Now and again Mushangazhike was a lone figure upfront as the Warriors built from the back.
Having survived the first 45 minutes, the Warriors had reason to feel confident and they were the better team throughout the second half. The introduction of Clemence Matawu in the 62nd minute for the injured Shereni gave the Warriors the fresh legs and the creative brilliance to pound the enemy lines. Matawu remains a big talking point in this team. Is he a substitute or one who is good enough to play in the first XI?
Given his performance in the last few games and his big show on Sunday, it is easy to argue that he deserves a place in the first XI. So if that is the case, why then is he kept rotting on the bench for 62 minutes only to be thrown onto the field to play 28 minutes? Warriors assistant coach David Mandigora says that it's a tactical move. He believes that Matawu makes the biggest impact, especially when playing for the national team, when he comes in as a fresh pair of legs when the opposition is tiring.
Maybe the coaches have a point and you have to respect them - especially given that the results have been good. On Sunday they probably got their cards right and, with a little bit of belief, they could have won this game. But Benjani believes this is just the beginning and there is need to focus on the next game. The skipper hugged every member of his team after the final whistle to show his appreciation of their effort. "We have just had a very good result against a very good team away from home and that is very good.
"We showed that with the right concentration and attitude we can get very good results. "But now we should not forget that this is just the beginning and we still have some tough games coming. "We should concentrate because the game against Namibia will also be tough. If we lose that game, then whatever we have achieved here will be forgotten.
"So I have been telling the boys that the battle is still on and we need to remain focused." Valinhos believes the goalless draw against such a quality opposition was just what the Warriors needed. "We have done very well against a team that has some excellent players, some very good professionals, and we should keep concentrated." The Warriors return home tonight and will go straight into preparations for Sunday's showdown against Namibia at home.
Having come here and buried the Ghost of Conakry, they now should have the confidence to believe. Believe in themselves, believe in their destiny, believe that nothing is impossible and believe that this could be the campaign that defines their international careers. Benjani knows that this is probably his last chance to play at the World Cup finals. And so do Shereni and Mushangazhike. So do Matola and Makonese. Together as a team they carry the hopes of their nation - a passionate support base that has backed them in good and bad times.
A group of supporters that probably never imagined them coming out of Guinea with a point and that probably now believes that this could be the year they celebrate.
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