Catala first since Westerhof to win Warriors debut

Ramon Catala has etched his name into Warriors history, becoming the first Zimbabwe coach since Clemens Westerhof in 1999 to mark his first game in charge with victory, ending a 27-year wait for a winning start at the helm of the national team.

The Warriors came from two goals down to beat Sierra Leone 3-2 in night’s AFCON 2027 qualifiers Group E encounter at the Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi, in Casablanca.

The Warriors team which started in last night match. Picture by ZIFA

Goals from Marshall Munetsi (twice) and his Wolverhampton Wanderers teammate Tawanda Chirewa, ensured victory for Zimbabwe away from home and history for Catala.

The Spaniard became the first Warriors coach since Clemens Westerhof 27 years ago, to win his first game in charge of the country’s senior men’s national team.

The Dutchman led Zimbabwe to a 1-0 victory over Eritrea in an AFCON qualifier on July 3, 1999.

Since then, six different foreign coaches, Klaus Dieter Pagels, Valinhos, Baltemar Brito, Zdravko Logarusic, Michael Nees and Mario Marinica, all failed to win their first game in charge of the Warriors.

The victory was made even more remarkable by the manner in which it was achieved. Zimbabwe came from two goals down to win a game for the first time ever.

The last time the Warriors came from behind having been 2-0 down was in last year’s World Cup qualifier against Benin, which then ended 2-2.

Catala’s historic debut will likely vindicate ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi, who came under massive scrutiny after his administration settled for the Spaniard despite his ‘lack of experience’ in African football.

The Warriors will now host the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the National Sports Stadium on Monday.

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