adminNATIONAL team coach, Calisto Pasuwa, will lead his band of locally based players Class of 2016 into the African Nations Championships getting underway in the Rwandese capital of Kigali tomorrow (Saturday).
Zimbabwe open their account with a Group D assignment against bitter rivals, Zambia on Tuesday.
The Chan tournament in Rwanda runs from January 16 to February 7.
According to media reports, Pasuwa has since admitted that lack of preparatory matches for his senior team is a cause for concern ahead of the tournament that is reserved for players plying their trade in their domestic leagues on the continent.
The Warriors has been in camp since Boxing Day the Warriors are yet to test any of their combinations in a match setup.
A friendly against Cameroon before Christmas was shelved off after the Warriors broke camp amidst chaotic scenes that saw the coach fired before he was reinstated two days later.
There has been talk of friendly matches being lined up against Mozambique and Ethiopia, but nothing materialised.
In an interview with our sister paper, The Herald this week, Pasuwa appeared to be worried over the situation.
“There are some players who are good when training, but if you throw them into the fray during a competitive match they will not be able to perform as much as they do in training.
“So we needed to have a look at some of these boys in a real game situation so that we have the right information on each and every player before we select our team,” said Pasuwa.
Zimbabwe will be under pressure to better their previous exploits at the tournament ending in the semis.
The team has targeted the finals, but will have to navigate past a seemingly difficult group.
Zimbabwe are in Group D where they will engage long time rivals and neighbours, Zambia, Uganda and Mali.
Zambia have already shown seriousness on the tournament after setting up their training camp in South Africa and lined up numerous friendly matches.
Not to be outdone is the ever improving Uganda. The Cranes are expected to come into the tournament wagging their tails up high following their triumph in the CECAFA Cup.
In fact, Chipolopolo were scheduled to fine-tune their squad with a date against Mamelodi Sundowns Junior team during their stay in Mzansi
Uganda were set to take on Gabon in their preparatory match, while West African side, Mali also in the same group were set to play Angola.
Uganda were also set to take on Cameroon on Wednesday, while hosts Rwanda were set to face the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Meanwhile, Pasuwa’s future with the national team remains uncertain with contract negotiations continuing to drag on.
As the Warriors leave for Chan 2016, Pasuwa is yet to strike a deal with the football association
Pasuwa and his management team are not impressed with the offer handed to them by ZIFA and other terms including the length of the contract.
Pasuwa has reportedly been offered a $3 000 salary with his management team seeking around $7 000 per month.
Gibson Mahachi who represents Pasuwa admitted they were not pleased with the offer given by ZIFA although the recent intervention of the Sports and Recreation Commission is widely believed to yield a positive result.
Pasuwa is understood to also been unhappy with some of the set targets that include winning Chan 2016 on the backdrop of some poor preparations.
Warriors Squad for Chan
Tatenda Mukuruva, Donovan Bernard, Elvis Chipezeze
Blessing Moyo, Hardlife Zvirekwi, Ocean Mushure, Bruce Kangwa, Lawrence Mhlanga, Elisha Muroiwa, Ronald Chitiyo, Marshall Mudehwe, Stephen Makatuka, Nqobizitha Masuku, Gerald Takwara,
Edmore Chirambadare, Knox Mutizwa, Moses Demera, Francesco Zekumbawire, Joel Ngodzo, Raphael Manuvire, William Manondo, Rodrick Mutuma and Farai Madhananga.
Online Reporter