AFCON 2021Q: Zimbabwe coach ‘blocks’ players who ignored earlier call-ups after sealing qualification

Zimbabwe Head Coach, Zdravko Logarusic, says he has taken a decision to reject players who “blue-ticked” and ignored his call-up message to the national team during the Afcon qualifiers.

Logarusic, who is a former Head Coach of Ghana Premier League giants, Asante Kotoko, says his actions are to reward the players who fought hard to earn the country’s qualification, as well as eliminating opportunists who may want to use the AFCON as a way to further their careers.

“Now that we have qualified for AFCON I am seeing their replies but I have also blueticked and blocked them,” he said.

Zimbabwe secured a ticket to next year’s competition to be hosted by Cameroon after Perfect Chikwende netted inside 15 minutes to give Zimbabwe a 1-0 win over Botswana at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown.

The victory saw Zimbabwe qualify from Group H with eight points, three behind leaders and defending champions, Algeria who drew 3-3 with Zambia in the last round of group matches.

This comes as welcome relief to Warriors coach, Logarusic, who was facing criticism following the Warriors’ disastrous show at CHAN 2021 where they lost all their three matches.

In taking Zimbabwe to the AFCON, Logarusic becomes the first foreign manager to take the Warriors through to the continental showpiece.