HARARE – Zimbabwe senior national team coach Michael Nees struggled to convincingly explain the surprise inclusion of young goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva in the Warriors squad set to face Burkina Faso and Niger in international friendlies scheduled for June 6 and 10 in Morocco.
The under-fire coach faced questions from the media over his decision to include Tavaziva in the squad heading to Morocco, instead of fielding him in the team set to compete in the COSAFA Championship this June in South Africa.
Journalists raised concerns because Tavaziva, a player widely regarded as talented by those who have seen him train and play, has yet to make an appearance for the national team.
Despite earning his first call-up nearly two years ago, the youngster had some minutes in the Warriors colours, although he has been a regular feature in squads for both AFCON and World Cup qualifiers.
When asked to clarify his decision, Nees said: “Marley needs match practice (game time) at his club. He is not competing at the highest level at his club. He is still performing good.”
“Marley is promising but of course he will have to show it. At his club he has not been give game time too but why do you think they have kept him?”
Added Nees when asked if Marley will get some minutes in Morocco: Washington Arubi is my number one choice.
“He is my number one, no matter what, Nees insisted. Let me be honest, I made my choice for the goalkeepers.”
Despite these responses, Nees struggled to provide a tangible reason why Tavaziva is not in the COSAFA squad where he is more likely to get game time.
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