Sports / Soccer
Prophets have no place in soccer, says Gorowa
31 Jan 2014 at 07:57hrs | Views
WARRIORS coach Ian Gorowa has no time for prophets in football and is disappointed that the leader of the Faith in God (FIG) Eagle Life Assembly in Bulawayo is partly blaming him for the penalty shootout exit in Wednesday's semi-final against Libya.
The Warriors lost 4-5 in sudden death penalties despite goalkeeper George Chigova making successive saves to keep Zimbabwe in the game.
Prophet Blessing Chiza had predicted a 3-0 win for the Warriors on the eve of the match but was forced to admit he "didn't see well."
The Chronicle reports that Gorowa said he was aware of the story.
"I heard that story but people always talk. This has nothing to do with football I think, listen there are things that have to do with football and those that have nothing to do with football. I don't believe in that, if we take our chances we take our chances. Penalties, we didn't take them well. So it's something I choose to ignore."
The former Black Rhinos, Dynamos and Ajax Cape Town striker was not worried that Prophet Chiza was communicating with six Warriors players.
"I was communicating with some players who appreciated my prayers and support. I'm still convinced the Warriors were supposed to win that match," Prophet Chiza told Chronicle.
Gorowa says it is something he had no problems with and will not attempt to stop.
"I think if that can be made clear. These players are mostly from Highlanders so he has been in touch with them. I think he was the one who prays for them, you cannot stop that. So they continue doing that which is good for them.
"So if he was then it was good, if he was doing it for the best of the country, if he was helping the players then that's good I don't see any problem with that," he said.
However, Prophet Chiza seemed to blame Gorowa for the Warriors' exit.
"I told the coach that we had to walk together for them to win the match but he was not forthcoming. It was of paramount importance for me to talk to him and give him a few instructions, such as making sure that no player enters the stadium with juju," Chiza told Chronicle.
Gorowa took exception to that: "Then he must be the coach ..... if he said that it's rather unfortunate, it's very unfortunate."
The Warriors lost 4-5 in sudden death penalties despite goalkeeper George Chigova making successive saves to keep Zimbabwe in the game.
Prophet Blessing Chiza had predicted a 3-0 win for the Warriors on the eve of the match but was forced to admit he "didn't see well."
The Chronicle reports that Gorowa said he was aware of the story.
"I heard that story but people always talk. This has nothing to do with football I think, listen there are things that have to do with football and those that have nothing to do with football. I don't believe in that, if we take our chances we take our chances. Penalties, we didn't take them well. So it's something I choose to ignore."
The former Black Rhinos, Dynamos and Ajax Cape Town striker was not worried that Prophet Chiza was communicating with six Warriors players.
"I was communicating with some players who appreciated my prayers and support. I'm still convinced the Warriors were supposed to win that match," Prophet Chiza told Chronicle.
Gorowa says it is something he had no problems with and will not attempt to stop.
"I think if that can be made clear. These players are mostly from Highlanders so he has been in touch with them. I think he was the one who prays for them, you cannot stop that. So they continue doing that which is good for them.
"So if he was then it was good, if he was doing it for the best of the country, if he was helping the players then that's good I don't see any problem with that," he said.
However, Prophet Chiza seemed to blame Gorowa for the Warriors' exit.
"I told the coach that we had to walk together for them to win the match but he was not forthcoming. It was of paramount importance for me to talk to him and give him a few instructions, such as making sure that no player enters the stadium with juju," Chiza told Chronicle.
Gorowa took exception to that: "Then he must be the coach ..... if he said that it's rather unfortunate, it's very unfortunate."
Source - Chronicle
