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Sports Reporter
JUST days after their World Cup debacle, the Warriors will go into the hat today when the draw for the COSAFA Cup will be held in South Africa today.
The COSAFA Cup is now set to be held from June 26 to July 7 in Durban.
The organisers yesterday confirmed the draw will be conducted today.
The tournament, which was originally scheduled to get underway today, was postponed.
Zimbabwe are still reeling from the effects of the FIFA ban and need every opportunity to rebuild the Warriors.
ZIFA failed to utilise one such opportunity during the Four Nations tournament in Malawi recently, ahead of the resumption of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
However, the Warriors will this morning know the identity of their opponents as they also look to return to the regional event, which they have won six times.
Zimbabwe missed last year’s edition due to the FIFA ban.
Coach Jairos Tapera has since named his squad.
Barring any changes, it is a blend locally-based players and a few Europe-based players who have been on the fringes of the national team.
Some of the local players who featured in the World Cup qualifiers squad – Godknows Murwira, Donovan Bernard, Martin Mapisa and Walter Musona – were dropped to pave way for a host of new faces like Prince Tafiremutsa, Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Thubelihle Jubani (Manica Diamonds), Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora), Tawanda Chisi (Manica Diamonds), Juan Mutudza (FC Platinum), Kingsley Mureremba (CAPS United), Mtokozisi Msebe (Simba Bhora), Panashe Mutimbanyoka (FC Platinum), Tinotenda Meke (GreenFuel), Takunda Benhura (Ngezi Platinum), Tinotenda Benza (Herentals) and Denzel Mapuwa (GreenFuel).
Among the foreign-based players expected for COSAFA Cup is Brentford’s youthful goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva, Shane Maroodza (Huddersfield), Daniel Msendami (Jwaneng Galaxy), Joel Phuthi (Sheffield Wednesday) and Macauley Bonne.
COSAFA yesterday confirmed the group stage draw will be conducted this morning.
The draw will be streamed live on the COSAFA Facebook and YouTube pages.
Organisers yesterday said will retain last year’s format.
The format will again see 12 teams take part and they will split into three groups of four sides, with the three pool winners and the best runner-up advancing to the semi-finals.
Zimbabwe Squad
GOALKEEPERS: Marley Tavaziva (Brentford), Geoffrey Chitsumba (Manica Diamonds), Prince Tafiremutsa (Dynamos)
DEFENDERS: Shane Maroodza (Huddersfield), Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Thubelihle Jubani (Manica Diamonds), Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora), Tawanda Chisi (Manica Diamonds)
MIDFIELDERS: Daniel Msendami (Jwaneng Galaxy), Joel Phuthi (Sheffield Wednesday), Juan Mutudza (FC Platinum), Kingsley Mureremba (CAPS United), Mtokozisi Msebe (Simba Bhora), Tatenda Tavengwa (Venda Football Academy), Richard Hachiro (Ngezi Platinum), Panashe Mutimbanyoka (FC Platinum), Tinotenda Meke (GreenFuel)
FORWARDS: Macauley Bonne (Cambridge United), Takunda Benhura (Ngezi Platinum), Tinotenda Benza (Herentals), Denzel Mapuwa (GreenFuel)
Online Reporter
