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Talking Football with Cosmas Zulu
The connection between possession and success is obvious. Here I will give reasons why Highlanders had problems and lost the game.

Defending is about decreasing the time, space and options an attacking player has to pass, dribble or shoot at goal. To be able to defend well as a team, players must be able to defend well as individuals. In addition to technical and tactical qualities, defenders must also display mental qualities of concentration, patience and self discipline.

There are three possible objectives in challenging for the ball; to prevent the opponent from turning with the ball, keeping an opponent in front of the defenders and forcing the opponent to play in one direction. Some defenders try too hard to win the ball when challenging an opponent from behind resulting in unnecessary free kicks being given away or the defender being comprehensively beaten if the attacker evades the tackle.

This shows you how Chicken Inn got their three goals. On the third goal scored from a free kick, there should have been a four-man wall. It is a fact that over 40 percent of all goals are scored from set pieces such as free kicks, corners and throw-ins. The more important the game and the more evenly balanced the teams are, then the more likely that the winning goal would be scored from a set piece. Why do teams find it so difficult to defend at set play?

• The attacking team can place a large number of players in pre-planned attacking positions.
• It is impossible to exert a high degree of pressure on the service as with the exemption of a throw in. The defending players always have to be 10 metres away from the ball.
• There is a general lack of detailed defensive organisation at set play.
• It is a fact that many players lose their concentration when the game stops. In order to perform well, a player must be alert all the time. It’s not sufficient for a player to just know the detail of what to do without implementing it.

In tactical terms, the basic problems in all set play is marking players and marking space.

Highlanders have failed to win games this season because of failing to do the above. Chicken Inn displayed a passing game with good interplay in midfield. Coach Joey Antipas must continue with this type of possession football which I believe will bring success to his team.

I am concerned that hooliganism seems to be rearing its ugly head in Zimbabwean football and ruining what should be enjoyable family outings. Hooliganism is not just about throwing missiles onto the pitch or fighting, but it is also in the form of obscene songs sung in the terraces. These people tarnish the image of the game as well as the clubs they purport to support.

We must learn to win honourably and lose honourably; Feedback – 0773 842 671; [email protected]