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Zimbabwe play host to Guinea in a Group G encounter that has been slated for the National Sports Stadium by Zifa on Sunday and the team’s preparations went into full throttle with two training sessions at the match venue yesterday.
Gumbo also revealed that he was happy with the turnout of the players after there was almost a full house at the training session yesterday.
The trio of Katsande, Karuru and Khama had been suspended from national team duties pending an investigation into their conduct by the Independent Ethics Committee over Asiagate but have since been cleared.
“It’s very good to have the players back and it has boosted our selection,” said Gumbo yesterday.
Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Katsande and France based 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.
“The players are hungry to play and they are showing 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 also 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 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 facing Burundi in the reverse fixture of the African Nations Cup qualifier.
“It’s very good to have all the players coming.
“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 worried if there is an injury.
“Our preparations are for all the games that are coming and not just for Sunday,” he said.
Gumbo’s opponents Guinea have been camping in France where they faced Cameroon in an international friendly in Metz.
However, Gumbo believes that the players had also been motivated by playing in the Benjani Mwaruwari Testimonial match at the National Sports Stadium on Saturday.
The match was a largely ceremonial affair to celebrate former Warriors skipper Mwaruwari’s time with the national team.
During the testimonial game, Gumbo’s charges faced some of Africa’s finest stars like Senegalese forwards El Hadji Diouf and Khaloua Fadiga.
South Africa’s Aaron Mokeoena and Nwanko Kanu and Zimbabwe’s legendary Peter Ndlovu also gave the Warriors a run.
“The match on Saturday motivated some of the guys.
“It was good for them to play against some of the stars,” said Gumbo.
Online Reporter