Warriors seek to douse Flames of Malawi

Sport
WARRIORS stand-in captain Masimba Mambare is upbeat ahead of the national soccer team’s trip to Zambia for the regional Cosafa tournament.

WARRIORS stand-in captain Masimba Mambare is upbeat ahead of the national soccer team’s trip to Zambia for the regional Cosafa tournament.

REPORT BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA

The Highlanders forward was handed the skipper’s arm band to lead the team at the tournament by coach Klaus Dieter Pagels.

The former Motor Action forward was full of confidence after the team’s first training session at the giant National Sports Stadium yesterday morning.

Mambare said it was an honour to be appointed captain of the Warriors. He admitted it was a huge responsibility to be asked to lead the team, adding that although he has never been in this position before, he is confident he would do the job.

“I feel honoured to be given the arm band,” said the 27 year old.

“It’s a huge responsibility to be asked to lead the team in a competition like this. It’s my first time to lead the team at such a big tournament, but I am confident we will do the job.

“This is a new team of locally based players and everyone is hungry for success and I am sure we will be able to deliver.”

The team went through their paces yesterday under the watchful eyes of coach Pagels and his two assistants Lloyd Mutasa and Nkululeko Dlamini.

Acting team manager Patrick Mutesva said the team was expected to leave for Zambia tomorrow morning.

Mutesva, who is standing in for Shariff Mussa who has business commitments elsewhere, said they would travel with the 20 players, who are in camp, unless there were injuries.

The team manager said all players had reported for camp, including the Harare City duo of goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamupanedengu and winger Silas Songani who had been doubtful after their club had written to Zifa requesting that they be withdrawn.

The club said it had had been hit by injuries to some of its key players ahead of a tough league match against Monomotapa this weekend. That request was, however, turned down with Zifa arguing they had already registered the players with Cosafa.

The Warriors also trained in the afternoon and Mutesva said they were happy that there were no injuries to the players.

“The afternoon training session went on very well. All the 20 players have been training and we are happy that so far there are no injuries in camp. Only Nicholas Alifandika had a slight limp in the morning, but this afternoon (yesterday) he trained well with the rest of the players,” said Mutesva.

Meanwhile, Malawi new caretaker coach Tom Saintfiet has announced a 20-member final 2013 Cosafa Cup squad ahead of this Saturday’s quarter-final against the Warriors.

In matches played yesterday Kenya beat Swaziland 2-0, while Botswana and Lesotho drew 3-3.

Malawi squad Goalkeepers: Simplex Nthala, Owen Chaima; Defenders: James Sangala, Moses Chavula, Douglas Chirambo, John Lanjesi and Bongani Kaipa, Gorge Nyirenda; Midfielders: Joseph Kamwendo, Micium Mhone, Chimango Kayira, Young Chimodzi Jnr, Frank Banda Dave Banda, Fischer Kondowe, Ndaziona Chatsalira; Strikers: Jimmy Zakazaka, Simkonda, Boniface Kaulesi, Chiukepo Msowoya.

Warriors squad Goalkeepers: Maxwell Nyamupangedengu (Harare City), Munyaradzi Diya (Highlanders), Tafadzwa Dube (Caps United) Defenders: Hardlife Zvirekwi (Caps United), Felix Chindungwe (Chicken Inn), Ocean Mushure (Dynamos), Eric Chipeta (Hwange), Nicholas Guyo (Monomotapa), Prosper Matizanadzo (Buffaloes)

Midfielders: Masimba Mambare (Highlanders), Devon Chafa (Dynamos), Charles Sibanda (FC Platinum), Silas Songani (Harare City), Ronald Chitiyo (Monomotapa), Nicholas Alifandika (Black Mambas)

Strikers: Tendai Ndoro (Chicken Inn), Lot Chiwunga (Black Rhinos), Simba Sithole (How Mine), Last Chibwiro (Black Mambas). http://newsday.co.zw/