Zimbabwe national team’s newly appointed coach Zdravko Logarusic has expressed his readiness for the task ahead.
Lugarusic was appointed last week as Warriors coach on a two-year deal and is expected to report on duty after he has been granted a work permit.
According to the coach, he is aware of the magnitude of the work but he is prepared to put the Warriors’ house in order.
“I have vast experience with African football and I have worked in six countries in the last 10 years, working with some big clubs,’’ he said.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “I believe that my knowledge in African football will be handy in achieving some of the targets that we want as a nation. [/perfectpullquote]
“If we are to achieve anything as a nation, then I cannot do it alone. I need all the support I can get from the players, the coaching staff, the association (ZIFA), the media and all the other stakeholders.
“The quality and the talent of Zimbabwean players is of high quality. If we do things together and pull in one direction, we will achieve what we want.
“Having such quality and talent is a good start for any coach who wants to achieve big things. I do not want to talk much and make a thousand promises.
“It is not necessary to talk much, our job is on the field of play. I will let football do the talking; people can then judge us accordingly.”
The 54-year old was previously in charge of Sudan national team, where he is remembered for leading the team to a third placing at the 2018 African Nations Championships (CHAN) in Morocco.
Logarusic has coached Kenyan Premier League giants, Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards before leaving left for a short stint in Angola at Inter Clubbe as an assistant coach.
He also had stints at Tanzanian Simba SC and two at Ghanaian Asante Kotoko before his Sudan posting.
He is expected to arrive in Zimbabwe alone since his wife is a teacher in Croatia while their two children are attending university.
Lugarusic’s first assignment is back-to-back 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the reigning champions Algeria in March.
Zimbabwe began their 2021 campaign with a 0-0 draw in Botswana before winning 2-1 away in neighbouring Zambia.
