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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
WARRIORS coach Ian Gorowa will have a rare chance this afternoon to step up the integration process of the foreign and home-based players when his team dates Malawi in an international friendly at the Kamuzu Banda Stadium in Blantyre.
Gorowa, who has the bulk of his team built around the players that took part at the recent CHAN tournament, has included six foreign-based players in his squad for the assignment.
The only other chance that the coach had to work with both local and foreign-based players at his disposal was last year when they engaged neighbours South Africa in a friendly match which they won 2-1.
Gorowa, who is still relatively new with the team, is beginning his preparations for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which are due to start in May.
His team has been boosted by the availability of the Kaizer Chiefs attacking pair of Knowledge Musona and Kingston Nkhata.
Their teammate Willard Katsande is also an interesting addition to the Warriors midfield which has been held intact by Chicken Inn’s defensive linkman Danny Phiri.
But Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Khama Billiat, who was reported injured by his Absa Premiership employers, might not take part as he did not train with the team yesterday.
Billiat travelled to Malawi and was being assessed by the doctors. Zifa communications manager, Xolisani Gwesela, said they were hoping the platform will help the coach in his efforts to build a formidable outfit for the 2015 Nations Cup qualifiers.
“We usually place lot of importance in such matches for obvious reasons. The first is that the coach has a number of players he wants to look at and these players need to be exposed at the international stage,” said Gwesela.
“Secondly we want our national team to be a major force to reckon with in the SADC region and in the whole of Africa.
“So, funds permitting and depending on the logistics, we will take every opportunity to play these friendly internationals.
“But the issue of resources is always a major drawback to our efforts. Unless that issue is addressed our football will continue to suffer and we are still appealing to the corporate world and the government to chip in, even if it means paying the service providers directly.”
The Warriors, who travelled in batches with the South Africa-based contingent of goalkeeper Washington Arubi, Carlington Nyadombo, Katsande, Musona, Nkhata, Billiat and their coach Gorowa flying directly to Blantyre.
The locally-based players made the road trip on Monday accompanied by assistant coach Mkhupali Masuku and head of delegation Benedict Moyo.
The other assistant coach Callisto Pasuwa did not travel since he is preparing to take his side Dynamos on a very important mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo for the return leg of the Champions League first round tie against AS Vita.
The Highlanders trio of Peter Moyo, Milton Ncube and Kuda Mahachi, who were involved in a road accident on their way to Harare on Sunday afternoon, also made the trip after they were cleared by the doctors.
“They were treated at West End and discharged on Sunday night. Fortunately for the players, their condition was not that serious and we are happy they are out of danger,” said Gwesela.
Malawi have a host of foreign based players led by their new captain Moses Chavuta who plies his trade in Mozambique alongside veteran goalkeeper Simplex Nthala. They have also called their South Africa-based players — Harry Nyirenda, Robert Ng’ambi, Atusaye Nyondo and Gabadinho Mhango — and Joseph Kamwendo who is now playing for TP Mazembe in the DRC.
Zim squad
Washington Arubi, Tafadzwa Dube, Hardlife Zvirekwi, Milton Ncube, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Gift Bello, Eric Chipeta, Carlington Nyadombo, Peter Moyo, Danny Phiri, Pascal Manhanga, Kuda Mahachi, Ali Sadiki, Willard Katsande, Khama Billiat, Knowledge Musona, Kingston Nkatha.
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