Khan backs Mhlauri as Dinha bounces back

Khan backs Mhlauri as Dinha bounces back

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By Ike Tinotenda

WARRIORS midfielder Edlebert Dinha, whose career appeared over after he was omitted from Zimbabwe’s final World Cup/African Cup of Nations qualifier against Nigeria last weekend has been included in the 28 member team which will go into camp for the African finals in Egypt next January.

A highly placed source said the squad for the Egypt jaunt is already in place and Dinha was part of the team.

“The coach (Charles Mhlauri) has included Dinha in the squad which will go into camp for the African Cup of Nations. It’s only that he was not in the coach’s plans in the match against Nigeria. He wanted to give younger players a chance,” said a source.

The development confirms Mhlauri’s flexibility when dealing with players contrary to the notion that he gets personal with his charges. Following the 5-1 defeat to the Super Eagles in Abuja, the 36 year-old coach has refused to be cowed.

He said: “We can beat Nigeria at the Nations Cup in Egypt if we are paired against them! Their biggest disadvantage is that they have players coming from different countries although they are a good team. They were the better team in Abuja because they have more experience.”

The CAPS United man withered the storm of a barrage of criticism. “We travelled with an experimental team to Nigeria because I believe in development rather than play for pride in games like these. I used players like Honour Gombami, Ashley Rambanapasi, Clement Matawu, Francis Chandida, and Method Mwanjali for them to get used to high level competition because they are the future.

“I don’t look at just the Egypt Nations Cup but the 2010 World Cup as well. That is what development is all about. Zimbabwe will continue to be beaten in friendly matches but our aim is not to get results but to broaden our player base,” said Mhlauri.

“I was satisfied with the result in Abuja especially given the circumstances. We slept in a bus after being harassed. We did not have enough time to train. All sorts of negative things are being said and people don’t look at that except that we lost,” he added.

Mhlauri received overwhelming support from his boss, Zifa chairman Rafiq Khan who has thrown his weight behind the young coach.

“The nation should be rallying behind the team, if at all the team is stay focussed. Name calling does not add value to our exploits. The preparations for Egypt are both mental and physical and thus at no point should we be concentrating on settling personal scores when the bigger picture calls upon us to work towards a big send off for the team. Zifa will support Mhlauri and his technical department to the final hilt,” said Khan.

What more a coach would ask for?
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