Makonese says it would be illogical to fire the Brazilian-born mentor, adding that the coach is not solely to blame for the Warriors’ disastrous campaign to qualify for Angola and South Africa in 2010.
Instead, he argues that all stakeholders should take the blame for the underachieving team’s failure to progress to the next stage of the tournament.
Zimbabwe bowed out with an embarrassing 4-2 defeat by Namibia with Makonese wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of injured Manchester City striker Benjani Mwaruwari.
“Following our failure to qualify for the two tournaments, people have been calling for the firing of Valinhos. I do not agree that as it would not be a wise move. He should not be made a scapegoat for our failure to qualify,” says the big defender.
“Instead, everyone involved should shoulder the blame, not one man alone. Everyone involved, from the Zimbabwe football Association and indeed we the players, should all take responsibility for the disappointing campaign.”
Makonese adds that instead of heaping the blame on the coach, the Warriors should move forward.
“It is not the end of the world. There is the 2012 Nations Cup to look forward to and as such we should start building towards that. We have to work together to ensure a repeat of the current situation.”