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Robson Sharuko
Editor
BRITO Baltemar had drafted a 23-man Warriors squad, with 20 Euro-based players, just two who ply their trade on the continent and none from the home-based brigade, which was supposed to get into camp next month.
The Brazilian gaffer was shown the exit door by the ZIFA normalisation committee at the end of December after taking charge of just two matches.
However, before his exit, Brito had drafted a squad, which he wanted in camp during the FIFA-break next month, with the majority of his players coming from their bases in Europe.
Only two players, who are attached to African clubs – Prince Dube of Azam in Tanzania and forward Daniel Msendami of Jwaneng Galaxy in Botswana — had made the squad.
One player, goalkeeper Daniel Musariranwa, would have come from Canada where he plays for Valour FC.
There was no player from the domestic Premiership or Supa Diski in South Africa which, for years, has provided a significant chunk of the Warriors.
Brito had targeted a number of players, who have Zimbabwean roots, but now have foreign citizenships in his squad which would have had a totally different complexion from the regular Warriors squads we have seen in recent years.
While he had kept faith in the backbone of the team with the likes of captain Marvelous Nakamba, Marshall Munetsi, Jordan Zemura, Gerald Takwara, Teenage Hadebe and Prince Dube retaining their places in the squad, there would have been many new faces.
For example, all the three goalkeepers would have come from clubs based in Europe or North America with Murasiranwa coming from Valour FC in Canada, Martin Mapisa coming from FC Malaga in Spain and Marley Tavaziva coming from Brentford in England.
His preferred defenders included Shane Maroodza (Huddersfield), Joey Phuti (Sheffield Wednesday), and Munashe Garananga (KV Mechelen).
The midfielders would have included Tivonge Rushesha (Reading), Tawanda Chiirewa (Wolves), Leon Chiwome (Wolves) and Isaac Mabaya (Liverpool),
The forwards would have included Tanatswa Nyakuhwa (Cardiff), Michael Ndiweni (Newcastle), Tawanda Maswanhise (Leicester) and Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen).
BRITO’S MEN
GOALKEEPERS — Darlington Murasiranwa (Valour FC), Martin Mapisa (FC Malaga), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford)
DEFENDERS — Shane Maroodza (Huddersfield), Joey Phuti (Sheffield Wednesday), Gerald Takwara (Ohod), Teenage Hadebe (Konyaspor), Munashe Garananga (KV Mechelen), Brendan Galloway (Plymouth), Jordan Zemura (Udinese), Marshall Munetsi (Reims), Andy Rinomhota (Cardiff), Tivonga Rushesha (Reading), Marvelous Nakamba (Luton), Tawanda Chirewa (Wolves), Leon Chiwome (Wolves), Isaac Mabaya (Liverpool)
FORWARDS — Tino Kadewere (Lyon), Tanatswa Nyakuhwa (Cardiff), Michael Ndiweni (Newcastle), Prince Dube (Azam), Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen), Daniel Msendami (Jwaneng Galaxy), Tawanda Maswanhise (Leicester)
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