adminChicken Inn’s Njabulo Nyoni and Under-20 international Kudakwashe Mahachi were called up to the squad announced by Zifa on Wednesday evening so was Highlanders’ Simon Munawa.
Gumbo has selected a squad with some of the best talent in the country. He has gone for both young and experienced players and barring injuries, victory on home soil looks assured.
Nyoni, the Castle Lager Goalkeeper of the Month for April, was among four goalkeepers included in the side.
All four are veterans of many struggles and play with a sense of responsibility knowing that any silly mistakes could mark the beginning of their decline at their respective clubs.
Tapuwa Kapini though looks the favourite to retain the number one goalkeeper’s jersey.
He has been in superb form for Absa Premiership side AmaZulu.
The other two are Timothy Sibanda, not a new comer to national team after being called up last year.
Marlon Jani, Motor Action’s mainstay for the last decade is also among those to fight to be part of the final 18 to face Guinea in Harare.
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu said Munawa deserved a place in the national team because he was a good player.
“He is a good player, he deserves it, he is our club’s top goalscorer,” said Kaindu.
Munawa has so far scored four goals for his club in an attacking midfielder role.
An anchorman from the days he made his debut at Zimbabwe Saints several seasons ago, Munawa is part of an exciting
and resurgent Highlanders that has seen fans trickling back to watch it after years of boring football and poor results.
Bosso lead the standings with 13 points from five matches.
They dislodged Chicken Inn after they lost 1-0 to promising Hardbody on Sunday at Ascot Stadium in Gweru.
Chicken Inn are on 11 points boasting the best defence in the league. It is no wonder that goalkeeper Nyoni was considered.
Club secretary Tawengwa Hara welcomed the selection of the two players.
“This shows the true national character of the team. The coaches have cast their net wide as there are players from all over the country including players from Hwange.
This is what we expect from all national teams.
“We are so happy for our players and we hope they will continue to work hard and impress all the way. They deserve to be there because they are playing very well,” said Hara.
Hwange another out of Bulawayo and Harare centre had three players drafted into the national team. Other than
Sibanda there was room for their former Zim Leopards striker Francisco Zvikumbawire and outstanding captain Ronald Chinyengetere.
Chinyengetere was the star of the miners’ good showing in the four matches they played in the Caf Confederation Cup.
Squad:
Foreign
Tapuwa Kapini, Carrington Nyadombo (AmaZulu, South Africa), Onismor Bhasera (Plymouth Argyle, UK), Bradley Pritchard (Charlton Athletic), Vusa Nyoni (Germinal Beerschot, Belgium), Terrence Mandaza (Platinum FC, South Africa), Arnold Chaka (Mochudi Centre Chiefs, South Africa), Knowledge Musona (Hoffenheim, Germany), Tinashe Nengomasha, Willard Katsande (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa), Khama Billiat (Ajax Cape Town, South Africa), Ovidy Karuru (US Boulogne, France), Archford Gutu (Kalmar, Sweden), Oscar Machapa (Moroka Swallows, South Africa)
Local
Njabulo Nyoni (Chicken Inn), Marlon Jani, Godfrey Moyo (Motor Action), Francisco Timothy Sibanda, Ronald Chinyengetere (Hwange), Nyasha Mukumbi, Tapuwa Khumbuyani (Caps United), Denver Mukamba, Takesure Chinyama, Partson Jaure (Dynamos), Ronald Chitiyo (Monomotapa), Welcome Ndiweni, Charles Sibanda (FC Platinum), Simon Munawa (Highlanders).
Online Reporter