Nees Reflects on Benin Defeat, Weighs New Options for Rwanda Clash
Warriors head coach Michael Nees has reflected on the 1-0 defeat to Benin and signalled possible adjustments as Zimbabwe prepare for Rwanda in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier — a fixture that also serves as a dress rehearsal for the AFCON finals.
“We had a solid recovery session before departure, then travelled overnight and arrived very early. That made it difficult to rest properly, but today we completed our Matchday +2 training, mixing recovery and reactivation. By tomorrow, the players should be at full intensity again. These are still competitive games and we take them seriously. We want to win, but at the same time, we may also give one or two players a chance to show themselves. Still, it’s a World Cup qualifier, and we need to show a different face in the next game,” said Nees.
The coach admitted Zimbabwe lacked cutting edge in Abidjan:
“It was a very tight match where the first mistake would decide it. Neither side opened up defensively, and we didn’t manage to create enough transition moments. We need to press higher, block more balls up front, and win possession in the attacking third. That’s where improvement is needed.”
Among those who could feature are Thando Ngwenya, a natural No. 9 striker whose inclusion would strengthen Zimbabwe’s attack, and Tivonge Rushesha, who is versatile across midfield and the right side of defence. Rushesha’s profile is particularly relevant: Zimbabwe’s Achilles heel in recent years has been the right flank, which has leaked goals — often from crosses — in games against Cameroon, Nigeria, South Africa, and most recently Benin. Since the departure of Tendayi Darikwa, the Warriors have struggled to stabilise this channel, making Rushesha’s potential debut one to watch closely.
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A more detailed analysis of Zimbabwe’s right-side defensive challenges will follow on ZimbabweWarriorsZone.com, but for now, the inclusion of Ngwenya and Rushesha could provide much-needed balance and competition in a department that has cost the team dearly in recent years.