AFTER sitting out the last Fifa international break due to Zifa’s failure to arrange a friendly match, Warriors coach Kalisto Pasuwa is eager to get down to serious business as his charges take on Tanzania at the National Sports Stadium today in their first real test ahead of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Gabon.
BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
The clash against Tanzania will be the first time a full strength Warriors side plays a friendly match since the conclusion of the successful Gabon 2017 Afcon qualifying campaign in September.
After being drawn against Algeria, Senegal and Tunisia in Group A for the Afcon finals, the financially-crippled Zifa is failing to attract tougher opposition as most of the top teams are currently committed to the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.
“We might cry saying we needed to play North African teams, but again remember, we have been seated and not doing anything. We had a Fifa date which passed by on October 3 and we didn’t do anything. To have this kind of friendly match is good for us in terms of our preparations because it means we have started doing something,” Pasuwa said. “It’s very important that we have started preparing and it’s combinations that we need to see and team building for the boys. So we need these games to keep coming to see how we fare.”
Pasuwa, who oversaw a Warriors side made up of locally-based players that beat Zambia 1-0 last week, looks like he has already decided on his Afcon squad, judging by the players he called for this friendly.
But he contends that the door is still wide open for other players, especially the locally-based ones who performed well against Zambia.
“The local boys had their chance last week and this week, we are trying other guys who came in and no one said this is the final team. Anyone who played well in the Zambia game and who will play well in the Tanzania game will be chosen in the final 23 to go to Afcon,” he explained.
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However, eight local players — who include three goalkeepers Tatenda Mukuruva, Bernard Donovan and Nelson Chadya — that featured in the Zambia game, were included in the team for Tanzania.
The other players are defenders Teenage Hadebe and Lawrence Mhlanga (both Chicken Inn), Highlanders’ Tendai Ndlovu as well as Hardlife Zvirekwi from CAPS United.
Midfielders Marshall Mudehwe (FC Platinum) and Raphael Kutinyu (Chicken Inn) complete the list of locally-based players called by Pasuwa.
While the bulk of the players used in the qualifiers are part of the team, there are a few new faces in the form of Bruce Kangwa (Azam FC), Oscar Machapa (AS Vita Club) and young Tino Kadewere, from Swedish side Djurgårdens. Czech Republic-based defender Costa Nhamoinesu and the Maritzburg United duo of Evans Rusike and Blessing Moyo are all out injured.
Mamelodi Sundowns ace Khama Billiat, fresh from a historic CAF Champions League triumph with his club, joined the team on Friday night after delays while processing papers for the Fifa World Club Cup set for Japan next month.
Warriors Squad:
Goalkeepers: Donovan Bernard (How Mine), Tatenda Makuruva (Dynamos), Nelson Chadya (Ngezi Platinum)
Defenders: Onismor Bhasera (Supersport United), Hardlife Zvirekwi (Caps United), Bruce Kangwa (Azam FC), Lawrence Mhlanga (Chicken Inn), Teenage Hadebe (Chicken Inn), Tendai Ndlovu (Highlanders), Oscar Machapa (AS Vita Club)
Midfielders: Willard Katsande (Kaizer Chiefs), Marvelous Nakamba (Vitesse Arnhem), Marshall Mudehwe (FC Platinum), Raphael Kutinyu (Chicken Inn), Danny Phiri (Golden Arrows), Kudakwashe Mahachi (Golden Arrows), Khama Billiat (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Strikers: Knowledge Musona (KV Oostende), Mathew Rusike (Helsingborgs IF), Tendai Ndoro (Orlando Pirates), Cuthbert Malajila (Bidvest Wits), Philana Kadewere (Djurgårdens IF), Nyasha Mushekwi (Dalian Yifang)
