Zimbabwe coach dreams of winning AFCON

Zimbabwe's coach Callisto Pasuwa (C) attends the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Algeria and Zimbabwe in Franceville on January 15, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI

Just hours to his team’s encounter with Algeria on Sunday night in Franceville, Zimbabwe head coach Callisto Pasuwa was asked whom he thinks would win this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

“Zimbabwe,” he replied, without biting his tongue and the whole press conference room burst into prolonged laughter, filled with sarcasm, of course.

How would that be possible? It is ridiculous to even entertain such a thought. Where would that leave favourites like Senegal, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Ghana or heavyweights Egypt?

“Don’t worry. Each team is different and so is the tournament. We are not here just to make the numbers. We are here to write history,” said Pasuwa.

And in all honesty, Zimbabwe were just nine minutes from upsetting Algeria inside the 20,000-seater Stade de Franceville as they led the fancied Desert Foxes 2-1. Goals from South Africa’s Golden Arrows forward Kudakwashe Mahachi and Nyasha Mushekwi of Dalian Yifang, China, had put the Zimbabweans on the path of greatness. But cometh the hour, cometh Mahrez the man as Leicester winger salvaged a point for the North Africans.

“We were quick in counter-attacks, but kept on wasting a lot of chances. As we prepare for Senegal, we need to do some homework and improve on our weaknesses,” said Pasuwa.

Most fans inside the stadium were clear about where their hearts were on Sunday night. Every splendid move by the Warriors of Zimbabwe was greeted with deserving thunderous applause.

But there was a slight problem; Riyad Mahrez. The CAF player of the year was a constant threat. His touches were deft, as always. Passes well measured to the precise length and weight, while his runs were constantly dangerous.

Throughout the match, there was excitement every time the ball came close to the mercurial player. And when he let his legs dance with the ball, the cheering was electric, spurring him the more. But with the draw, Mahrez hopes for a better show in their second match against Tunisia on Thursday.

“We dropped two points, but that is the nature of football. The first match is always difficult. We still have two more matches to play,” said Mahrez, who was named Man of the Match.