Zimbabwe coach Norman Mapeza has defended goalkeeper Talbert Shumba for his costly error and looked forward to his side’s clash with Bafana Bafana.
Mapeza took over as interim coach from Zdravko Logarusic last month but lost both games against Ghana, which could lead to another coaching change before the Warriors face South Africa.
The former Ajax Cape Town midfielder admitted he knew it was going to be difficult when he took over from Logarusic and says Zimbabwe must continue working hard in the games against Bafana and Ethiopia.
“We are all disappointed after losing this match,” he said, as per soccer24.co.za.
“When I came in (as the new Warriors coach), I knew where the team was.
“I promised the country that I would try my best to revive the World Cup campaign, but now it’s no longer in our hands.
“What is now important is to continue working hard in the next matches.”
Mapeza also defended the goalkeeping howler of Free Stare Stars’ Shumba, who misjudged a free-kick by Ghana’s Thomas Partey.
“I was a footballer before. I used to make mistakes as well but my coach never dropped me out of the team,” he added.
“He needs to be encouraged, so, if I am going to drop him because of that mistake, I would be like Judas Iscariot.
“This is football, mistakes are bound to happen, it wasn’t his day, he made that mistake but I am proud of what he did, he never looked down.’’
Zimbabwe will now face South Africa in November before hosting Ethiopia in their final Group G match.
