Zimbabwe coach Loga has no fear of Algeria

by Graeme Jackson

Monday Oct 19, 2020. 11:00

Zimbabwe national team coach Zdravko ‘Loga’ Logarusic insists the Warriors should have no fear ahead of facing African champions Algeria next month.

The teams are set to meet in back-to-back clashes in Group H of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] qualifiers in November.

Algeria top the pool with a full haul of six points after wins over Zambia and Botswana, while Zimbabwe are just two points behind after a draw against the Zebras and away win over Chipolopolo in their two matches.

The North African giants appear to be in good nick after a win over Nigeria and 2-2- draw with Mexico in the past international break, while Zimbabwe could only draw 0-0 in a hastily-arranged game with Malawi in which Loga used a makeshift squad.

The coach admits that taking on the Fennec Foxes is a daunting proposition, but he is determined to stay positive.

“There is no doubt that Algeria are a good team. They are the current African champions. Facing them is not an easy task for me as a coach,” said Loga, as quoted by The Standard.

“Their team is good and there is a temptation of focusing and fearing their star players, but they move as a unit and for that, we are not focusing on individuals, but the team as a whole.”

He continued, “From the Malawi match, I feel the team has potential to produce more good results. Many senior players were not available for that match, but those who played showed character considering the small time frame we spent together and I am hopeful that next time, we will do even better.

“Anything is possible for us, there is no team without challenges, so we just have to stay positive. This is a very important match and we have to grind a win at home and maintain that form when we play away so that we keep up.

“My job here is to get results that help the team go to AFCON and win all its matches and I am confident to achieve more with the right support from all responsible stakeholders.”