Comeback kids’ show

Khama Billiat and Willard Katsande — has boosted the senior national team ahead of the start of their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Zimbabwe host Guinea in a Group G encounter at the National Sports Stadium on

Sunday and the team’s preparations went into full throttle, with two training sessions at the match venue, yesterday.
Zifa have settled on the giant stadium despite the fans’ love affair with Rufaro where they believe they create an intimidating atmosphere for the visitors and help the

Warriors maximise on home advantage.
The giant stadium, which the Warriors have struggled to fill to capacity in recent years, does not produce the compact environment that the fans want to make the visiting team feel they are playing away from home.

Crucially, the National Sports Stadium’s playing surface is in very bad shape and some of the Warriors struggled to adjust to the bumpy pitch and the grass, which most of the visitors are used to play on, does not give the hosts the advantage that the artificial surface at Rufaro provides.

Yesterday, workers could be seen trying to plant some lawn to cover the surfaces that have been left bare on the playing pitch.
But Zifa have chosen the giant stadium and the             Warriors will return to the scene of one of their worst performances when they were held to a goalless draw by Cape Verde the last time they played there.
Gumbo revealed yesterday that he was pleased with the turnout of the players as there was a virtual full-house at the training sessions.

Former Dynamos coach David Mandigora and Richard Tswatswa are assisting the FC Platinum coach Gumbo.
The trio of Katsande, Karuru and Khama had been suspended from national team duties pending an investigation by an Independent Ethics Committee over the Asiagate scandal, but the players have since been cleared.

“It’s very good to have the players back and it has boosted our selections,” said Gumbo yesterday.
Kaizer Chief’s midfielder Katsande and France-based midfielder Karuru trained with the team while Ajax’s Billiat sat out because of an injury.
“The guys are mentally ready. Willard and Ovidy are training but Khama has a slight injury.

“However, the doctors will take a look at him and I am sure he will be up soon.
“But the players are hungry to play and they are showing a big heart. They are willing to play and I can see that their minds are looking towards the game and they are looking forward to playing,” said Gumbo.

Gumbo almost has a full squad at his disposal after vice-captain Tinashe Nengomasha joined camp yesterday while Charlton Athletic’s Bradley Pritchard and talismanic striker Knowledge Musona came last week.
“It’s the first time that I have seen such a response by the Warriors when I am in charge.

“The response is good and it’s unlike the last game when Knowledge had to join us just a few hours before the match,” said Gumbo.
In the build-up to the Warriors’ last match against Burundi in February, Gumbo travelled with a hastily assembled squad that lost 2-1 in Bujumbura.

Gumbo has also roped in CAPS United skipper David Sengu and the exciting Rahman Kutsanzira as he seeks to build a solid squad for the forthcoming assignments.

After the match on Sunday, Zimbabwe will face Mozambique in another World Cup qualifier in Maputo before playing Burundi in the reverse fixture of the African Nations Cup qualifier.

“The competition for places is so intense and the guys are willing to learn and make names for themselves.
“Just the way they are expressing themselves at training is good and this has created competition for places.
“I have almost two players fighting for the same position and will not be greatly worried in the event of an injury.
“Our preparations are for all the games that are coming and not just for Sunday’s,” he said.

Guinea have been camping in France where they faced Cameroon in an international friendly in Metz on Saturday.
However, Gumbo believes that his players were also helped by playing in the Benjani Mwaruwari Testimonial match at the National Sports Stadium.

The match was largely an exhibition tie to celebrate former Warriors skipper Mwaruwari’s time with the national team.
“The match on Saturday motivated some of the guys. It was good for them to play against some of the stars,” said Gumbo.