Team manager Nyika Chifamba later released the list at around 9:30pm.The two goalkeepers are Marlon Jani and South African-based Tapiwa Kapini,the defenders are Tapiwa Khumbuyani, Godfrey Moyo, Arnold Chaka, Onisimor Bhasera, Noel Kaseke and Vusa Nyoni.
The midfielders are Tinashe Nengomasha, Esrom Nyandoro, Denver Mukamba, Archford Gutu and Charles Sibanda.Knowledge Musona, Musa Mguni, Brian Abbas Amidu, Mandla Sibanda and Terrence Mandaza will lead the attack.
The confusion might have been caused by foreign-based players who were supposed to be released by their clubs over the weekend for the Burundi tie but Zifa could not get air tickets that would see them arriving in time for the match.
The Swallows, as Burundi are known to their fans, have never qualified for either the World Cup or the Nations Cups.
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The Warriors got a timely boost from LaChelle Travel and Tours who donated air tickets valued at US$106 000 and groceries valued at US$300.
The company also donated T-shirts to the national team and has a surprise package in store for the Warriors as the company will ferry the team to the airport using two limousines this morning and on the day they come back.
LaChelle Travel and Tour chief executive officer Mary Mubaiwa said the players should know that playing for the national team is a privilege and not a right, hence the need to justify their selection into the team.
“They must go there and win. We have a number of surprises lined up for them especially on the return leg. We are a young company run by women but we saw the need to sponsor Warriors.”
The day also turned out to be special for the team as assistant coach Peter Ndlovu turned 39 and hoped the week would end with a victory in Burundi.
“It is a special day for me today because it is my birthday. We now have a bunch of honest players that we are going to entrust with the job, we hope to bring back a good result. We have been put under pressure by our neighbours Zambia who won the Nations Cup recently,” Ndlovu said.
Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze told Standardsport that it was now the norm for Zifa to give the players an incentive for winning the match.
“I think it was clear from the president’s speech that something is at stake for the boys if they do well even though he did not disclose the figures. Government has also involved itself in the 2013 Africa Cup campaign,” Mashingaidze said.
