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AFCON and lessons for Zim

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By Anesu Chakanetsa

ZIMBABWE, like Ghana, Algeria and Nigeria, had the most disappointing AFCON tourney ever. 

The match against the Flames of Malawi was a deep thorn in Warriors’ flesh. 

While this was happening, somewhere in West Africa another Zimbabwean team was having a tournament, to some extent, of their lifetime. 

The Zimbabwe senior ladies hockey team reached the semi-finals of the recently held Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ghana.

Zimbabwe finished fourth at the tournament and missed the bronze medal after they crashed to a 3-1 penalty shootout defeat from Kenya.

The team managed to progress to the semi-finals after they finished second in their group where they played against South Africa, Uganda and Namibia.

Although they had a bad start following a 3-0 defeat to South Africa, Zimbabwe acquitted themselves with a 5-0 victory against Uganda before the 1-1 draw against Namibia.

Their 2-1 loss to Ghana in the semi-finals was a huge disappointment, but they were left with an opportunity to fight for a bronze medal.

This has, however, been a fruitful tournament for the team as the Zimbabwe side last reached the semi-final stage at the same tournament in 1998.

In football, Zimbabwe has never gone beyond the group stages at AFCON in all the five tournaments they have qualified for.

This is despite the fact that Zimbabwe had adequate preparations for the tournament. 

They were one of the first teams to arrive. 

They acclimatised well and played a friendly with a team under reconstruction, Sudan. 

Where did the Warriors go wrong?

Gambia’s gaffer Thomas Saintfiet once came to Zimbabwe and was offered the task to rebuild the national team but his working papers were, however, not in order.

ZIFA then promised Saintfiet would have his work permit as soon as he started working. 

It was during a training session when he was ordered to leave Zimbabwe by the Immigration Office.

There were allegations, however, that ZIFA was not satisfied with Saintfiet’s approach and demands, and they wanted Sunday Chidzambwa to take over.

It happened and Zimbabwe went on to fall at AFCON 2017.

Now Saintfiet coaches an ambitious Gambia that has stood the test of time. 

They are having a beautiful debut in Cameroon.

They earned six points in their group stages and went on beat Guinea by a goal to nill in their round of 16 tie. 

And Gambia too, like Zimbabwe, have had colossal problems in football. 

A decade ago, Gambian Football fraternity was thrown into the labyrinth after their juniors were accused and charged with age-cheating.

Sierra Leone, which earned two points in their group stages and managed to hold Ivory Coast also had problems in the past but are now back on course.

FIFA accused Sierra Leone of government intervention in football affairs. 

Zimbabwe was banned from 2018 World Cup qualifiers after they failed to account for one Valinhos’ accounts after his contract was terminated. 

In Africa, football teams face problems but they learn from their mistakes. 

They try not to repeat their past mistakes and Zimbabwe has been slow in that regard. 

Malawi looked a small team when they went to Cameroon, but they shook the world when they beat Zimbabwe and held Senegal to a nill all draw. 

They battled it out with Morroco in the round of 16 tie but were controversially beaten by 2-1. 

They have become an emerging giant in African football, while Zimbabwe stands in one position like a statue. 

In fact, it was Malawi’s second qualification for the tournament, but they have made it to the round of 16. 

There is power in patient build-ups. 

Burkina Faso came to the AFCON hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon in 2012 and exited in group stages. 

They came back in 2013 wanting to correct mistakes and they went all the way to the finals, where they were narrowly beaten by Nigeria.

Zimbabwe has qualified for three consecutive AFCON tourneys, but has been exiting the tournament at group stages.

One of The Stallions players, Bertrant Traore, had his debut tourney in 2012 at 18. 

He came back the very next year and, together with his brother Alaine Traore, Paul Keba, Jonathan Pitroipa and Aristide Bance, mesmerised. 

Now he is the team’s captain at 26. 

Zimbabwe could not at least give a chance to the 18-year-old promising Dynamos attacker Bill Antonio. 

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) of today, led by Dr Patrice Motsepe, is different from CAF led by Ahmad Ahmad from 2016 and of Issa Hayatou from 1991. 

African football is changing at a fast pace which could see a lot of changes in the near future. 

For example, for the first time in AFCON history, a Woman referee, Salima Mukansanga, became the first female referee ever to manage an AFCON referee in a match between Zimbabwe and Guinea. 

Motsepe spoke of creating Africa’s football brand and at this pace, Africa’s football will  overtake other continents.

But it seems Zimbabwe is not in sync with the trends. 

No women referees in Zimbabwe are being empowered in sport. 

No junior leagues are taking place; same as women leagues.

Stadiums are in disarray. 

Surely AFCON and other tournaments should be a long lesson for Zimbabwe.

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