adminRicky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
LOCALLY-based Warriors captain Danny “Deco” Phiri yesterday reassured fans that he would be fit for the 2016 African Nations Championship (Chan) finals, insisting that his ankle injury is “not serious”.
Warriors’ coach Callisto Pasuwa raised alarm about Phiri’s injury on Sunday and indicated that the team doctor’s report will determine his skipper’s fate.
He said Phiri failed to complete Sunday’s training session because his ankle was swollen and a decision had to be made soon as the final squad should be named in less than two weeks.
The Chan will be held in Rwanda from January 16 to February 7.
An injury to Deco may prompt a re-think about the Warriors’ approach to the tournament, as he is a key member of the team who directs operations from the midfield and has a knack for scoring important goals.
However, Phiri yesterday said he would be fit for the tournament.
“It’s not a serious injury, but something I’ve had throughout the season. I trained without any problems today, so it’s not as serious as it’s been written,” Phiri told Chronicle Sport yesterday on his way to afternoon training.
Apart from Phiri, Hwange goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya has a recurrent shoulder problem, which Pasuwa said needed an operation.
Phiri praised his teammates for reporting for camp in time, saying such commitment is key in preparing for the tournament.
All 32 players called up had reported for duty on Boxing Day and immediately got down to business.
The provisional Warriors’ squad will be trimmed to 23 before the team leaves for Kigali.
“There isn’t much to say other than that everyone seems committed.
“Remember, some players failed to report for duty in the last camp but now everyone arrived in time, making sure that the technical team gets down to business.
“Reporting in time makes it easy for the coaches to execute their plans and it also makes it easy for the guys to understand the coaches’ system,” said Phiri.
The Warriors’ squad has 10 out of the 11 Castle Lager Soccer Stars of the Year finalists, with only veteran Clemence Matawu missing.
The 10 include Soccer Star of the Year Phiri, his Chicken Inn teammates goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze and Edmore Chirambadare; first runner-up Ocean Mushure and Tatenda Mukuruva of Dynamos; the league’s Top Goal Scorer Knox Mutizwa of Highlanders; Stephen Makatuka from Caps United; Raphael Manuvire of ZPC Kariba, FC Platinum’s Brian Muzondiwa and Hillary Bakacheza of Triangle United.
Also competing for places in the final 23 squad are rejuvenated Caps United midfielder Joel Ngodzo, defender Farai Madhananga and striker Moses Demera from recently relegated Flame Lily.
Exciting Chicken Inn winger George Majika has also been given a chance to charm the national team gaffer, Callisto Pasuwa.
Harare City striker Francisco Zekumbawire, Bruce Kangwa of Highlanders and How Mine goalkeeper Donovan Bernard are some of the players that are in camp.
Phiri said competition for places is healthy.
“I believe this is a fair squad made up of players that are hungry for success.
“Competition is always healthy and I’m sure with adequate preparation, we’ll be able to go far at the tournament.
“We’re in a tough group but I believe all the teams that qualified for the finals deserve to be there,” said Phiri.
The Chicken Inn skipper, who had a brilliant season, said they would bank on past experience at the Chan finals.
“We’re also difficult opponents to anyone because we’ve qualified for every edition.
“I think it’s time to make our experience count by winning at all costs.
“Like I said, having right preparations will lay a good foundation for our success,” said Phiri.
Zimbabwe have never missed a Chan tournament whose first edition was held in Cote d’Ivoire in 2009.
The Warriors played the inaugural edition under the guidance of Sunday Chidzambwa and then with Madinda Ndlovu in Sudan in 2011.
On both occasions, the Warriors failed to progress to the knockout stages.
In the last edition held in South Africa in 2014, Zimbabwe, then under Ian Gorowa, managed to finish fourth after losing to eventual winners Libya.
Online Reporter