BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambga has expressed delight at the form of France-based forward Tino Kadewere, who was on target for the Ligue 2 side Le Havre on Friday night, a week before a crucial final Group G Afcon qualifier against Congo set for next Sunday.
Log leaders Zimbabwe need a draw to book a ticket to the Egypt finals, which would be a second consecutive Afcon appearance after making it to Gabon 2017, when they host the Central Africans at the National Sports Stadium.
Chidzambga named a strong 28-member squad for the tricky fixture last week including new boys Germany-based Kelvin Lunga, Admiral Muskwe from English side Leicester and Butholezwe Ncube, based in South Africa, among other top players.
Marvelous Nakamba, who plays for Belgian champions Club Brugge, initially named, is out of the squad due to injury.
But it is Kadewere’s form which has seen him score twice in three outing for Le Havre this month that has Chidzambga drooling.
“Of course, it’s great when our players are performing well for their teams. Kadewere is a very good player, he is in top form and we are looking forward to see his qualities against Congo on Sunday,” Chidzambga told Standardsport in an exclusive interview.
Kadewere created the first goal and added the second in his side’s 3-1 win over Ajaccio in a Ligue 2 tie on Friday night.
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Two weeks ago, he was on target as Le Havre threw away a two-cushion lead to draw 2-2 at home to Metz.
The two goals took Kadewere’s tally for Le Havre to six in all competitions in a season he has been dogged by injuries.
Kadewere will also be keen to endear himself with the Warriors fans after getting some stick for missing gilt-edged chances in the narrow loss to Liberia the last time out.
Chidzambga, who qualified the country for its first Afcon Cup appearance back in 2004, is confident that the squad is strong enough to beat Congo despite losing Nakamba.
“Nakamba is a huge loss to the team at this crucial stage, but when we named our squad we made sure that we have enough cover in all the positions. We are not going to make any additional changes to the squad because we had already prepared for such eventualities,” the veteran gaffer said.
In-form Amazulu midfielder Ncube can adequately fit into Nakamba’s shoes as well Tafadzwa Kutinyu, Danny Phiri and Ovidy Karuru.
“The best thing is for us to start camp so we can see who is there or not, but I think we named a very strong squad capable of winning against Congo. The players have expressed confidence that they will get the ticket to the Afcon finals. They are raring to go and I think they are going to show it by their performances on the pitch,” Chidzambga said.
All the teams in Group G have an opportunity to make it to the finals.
Zimbabwe lead the standings with eight points from five matches, with Liberia a point behind and DRC on six points while Congo anchor the group having collected five points from as many matches.
The Warriors will also qualify with a loss should Liberia beat DRC in Kinshasa in the other group encounter.
Warriors squad
Goalkeepers: George Chigova (Polokwane City), Edmore Sibanda (Witbank Spurs), Petros Mhari (FC Platinum)
Defenders: Marshal Munetsi (Orlando Pirates), Jimmy Dzingai (Power Dynamos), Alec Mudimu (CEFN Druids), Teenage Hadebe (Kaizer Chiefs), Ronald Pfumbidzai (Bloemfontein Celtic), Divine Lunga (Golden Arrows), Tendayi Darikwa (Nottingham Forest), Godknows Murwira (FC Platinum)
Midfielders: Butholezwe Ncube (Amazulu), Danny Phiri (Golden Arrows), Richard Hachiro (Herentals), Ovidy Karuru (Amazulu), Tafadzwa Kutinyu (Azam) Khama Billiat (Kaizer Chiefs), Kudakwashe Mahachi (Orlando Pirates), Talent Chawapiwa (Amazulu), Kelvin Lunga (SV Rödinghausen), Leeroy Mavhunga (Yadah FC) Strikers: Knowledge Musona (SC Lokeren), Tino Kadewere (Le Havre), Knox Mutizwa (Golden Arrows), Abbas Amidu (Arar FC), Evans Rusike (SuperSport United), Admiral Muskwe (Leicester City)