HARARE – Michael Nees, the newly appointed Zimbabwe Warriors coach, has expressed his disappointment with the state of many pitches in the domestic league.
He labelled the stadiums as “bumpy” and hindering the flow of the game.
In an interview with ZTN Prime, Nees, who arrived in the country last week, highlighted the poor playing surfaces at several stadiums he visited.
The German tactician watched three matches including a Northern Region Division One clash in Harare.
In the Premier Soccer League (PSL), he watched Simba Bhora and Bulawayo Chiefs at Wadzanai Stadium in Shamva and CAPS United and Manica Diamonds at Rufaro Stadium in Harare.
Lamenting on the condition of the pitch, Nees said: “The pitch conditions are difficult. The ball does not flow like in a well maintained pitch like those I saw in Senegal, South Africa or in Europe.”
He added: “The pitch is bouncy you have to slow down the game (in order) to control the ball naturally.”
Nees insisted that the uneven surfaces force players to slow down their game and adjust their technique in order to maintain the control of the game.
Despite lamenting playing conditions, Nees was impressed by the talent he observed among local players.
“I was impressed with some of them, I don’t want to name individuals. I saw good ball control and good technique.”
Nees’ first assignment as the Warriors coach is against Kenya in the AFCON qualifiers next Friday in Uganda.
Four days after, he will lead Zimbabwe against African giants Cameroon.
