Zimbabwe coach Mapeza impressed with team despite 3-1 loss to Kenya

Warriors interim head coach Norman Mapeza has said he was impressed with how his charges “stuck to the game plan” despite suffering a 3-1 loss to Kenya in the Four Nations tournament final that was played at Bingu Stadium in Malawi on Tuesday.

Speaking to the media after the match, Mapeza who finished the game in the stands after being red carded for protesting against the referee said:

“Generally I’m impressed with how they (boys) stuck to our (game) plan earlier even though we later allowed them (Kenya) to take control of the game.”

The FC Platinum coach believes they “could have done better” had the match official handled the game ‘well’.

“We could have done better though we had some fouls waved away,” added Mapeza who bemoaned the officiation.

Furthermore, he went on to explain his red card”…hence all of us (coaches) overreacted getting into the pitch, their (Kenya) coach was in the pitch as well, but unfortunately I got sent off.

“I think my boys got physiologically affected after the incident.”

The Warriors won the silver medal after suffering a 3-1 defeat to the Harambee Stars who were crowned champions.

Despite the defeat, Marshall Munetsi who captained the team in the absence of Marvelous Nakamba, believes the games were vital ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifies in June 2024.

The Four Nations tournament was held in Malawi from 18-26 March.

It started with the U-20s before the senior national teams rounded off the competition.

Zimbabwe, Kenya, Malawi and Zambia participated in the competition.

In the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in June, the Warriors are scheduled to face off South Africa and Lesotho.