adminThe clash, which falls inside the Fifa calendar, will be important for both sides as they look to lay strong foundations ahead of a busy schedule in 2012.
Zifa communications manager Nicholette Moyo-Dhlamini yesterday said the Warriors were expected to assemble in Harare next week to prepare for the game, to be played on 7 January.
But with the foreign-based players yet to confirm their schedules soon after the holidays, Dhlamini revealed that the Warriors technical department may only consider those present by the time of the game.
This means coach Norman Mapeza could be able to secure the bulk of his South Africa-based contingent as the Supa Diski is on a long break and will only resume after the Africa Cup of Nations later in February.
The 2011/2012 Absa Premiership season was designed with Bafana Bafana’s expected campaign at the 2012 Nations Cup finals in mind but Pitso Mosimane and his boys failed to make the showcase after coming short in humiliating fashion.
But while most of the players could be available, Mapeza may not be able to get his troops from Kaizer Chiefs as the club has lined up an international friendly against Ghana’s Black Stars on January 12.
Five Zimbabwean players are in Chiefs’ books and this may mean that Thomas Sweswe, Lincoln Zvasiya, Tinashe Nengomasha, Willard Katsande and Zhaimu Jambo may not be available.
Talismanic Ajax Cape Town winger Khama Billiat has been ruled out as he is scheduled to leave for the Netherlands next week for a week’s training stint with the Urban Warriors’ mother club, Ajax Amsterdam.
“This is an away game and the coach has already been informed about it and he will make his plans,” said Dhlamini.
“I am not sure if we are going to call foreign-based players from outside the country but those who will still be here after the holidays could be considered.
“There are no camping details yet but their preparations could coincide with the ladies’ team who are expected to assemble on 2 January,” she said.
Zimbabwe were last involved in a high profile friendly game last month when they beat South Africa 2-1 courtesy of a Knowledge Musona double at Rufaro.
They have a busy schedule in 2012 where they are expected to begin their journey in the 2014 World Cup to be hosted in Brazil and also the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Warriors are set to kick-start their Afcon qualifying campaign in February with a clash against minnows Burundi on 29 February, with the return leg slated for the weekend of June 15-17.
Zimbabwe were placed in the preliminary stages of qualification after failing to qualify for the 2012 Afcon event in an unstable campaign this year.
Besides the 2013 Afcon qualifiers, the Warriors will also play the World Cup qualifiers against Guinea, Mozambique and Egypt between June and December.
Their opponents — the Zebras — are using the match as part of their preparations for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations finals to be co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea next month.
Botswana, who had a fairytale run this year after qualifying for their first Afcon finals, have embarked on an intensive preparation that took them to South Africa, Qatar and will round off in Cameroon next month.
They are currently in Qatar after spending 10 days in Rustenburg where they played a friendly match against Lesotho and triumphed 3-0.
Botswana held Nigeria to a 0-0 draw away last month and they appear geared up to make an impression in their debut at the Afcon final. They have been placed in Group D alongside Ghana, Mali and Guinea.
Online Reporter