admininternational friendly match.
Zimbabwe are scheduled to play the Flames at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre this Saturday in an Africa Day international friendly.
The encounter, in which the Warriors will be fielding their home-based players only, is also a dress rehearsal of the two teams meeting in the up coming Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup quarter-final tie in Zambia in July.
Sadiki has had an on-off affair with theWarriors since his days Gunners.
The talented midfielder, who is enjoying his game at Premiership table toppers Platinum, had been hoping to stake a claim in the new-look Warriors under the Klaus Dieter Pagels revolution.
But Warriors team manager Shariff Mussa yesterday said they had been forced to replace Sadiki with the impressive How Mine forward Simbarashe Sithole.
Sadiki, who was named in the 18-member side last week, was the only injury casualty from the Premiership’s Week 10 after he pulled a muscle during their assignment against Monomotapa, which finished 1-1 at Rufaro on Saturday.
Mussa said they had wanted to give all the players a chance to fight for a place in the national team as they look to build a strong base from local players who will compete in the Cosafa Cup as well as the African nations Championships qualifiers.
Pagels has been trying to assemble a new side, capable of also battling for a place at the 2015 African Cup of Nations.
But Sadiki will have to wait another day, probably the Cosafa assignment, to bounce back into the Warriors.
“We have been informed that Sadiki is injured, so he is no longer travelling with the team. But we have called in his place Simba Sithole from How Mine and I believe it’s a chance for him also.
“We are just hoping that there will be no more injuries from the games that will be played before we travel. It’s a worrisome situation because we don’t know what will happen.
“So we are keeping our fingers crossed because we want the players to start reporting at the Zifa offices tomorrow (tonight) after their games and then we leave on Thursday morning.
“We had limited our selection to two players from each club so that we do not disturb the league programme,” said Mussa.
With two matches being played at Mandava and Luveve in Bulawayo, the Warriors may also be forced to delay their departure for Malawi as they await the arrival of players from FC Platinum, Chicken Inn and Buffaloes.
The Warriros will also be hoping that their plans are not scuppered by reports of more casualties given that there is a full PSL mid-week fixture programme, which kicked off yesterday at Maglas where Shabanie Mine overcame fellow strugglers Black Rhinos 2-0.
Pagels and his assistant Lloyd Mutasa have basically kept the core the of the team that travelled to Lusaka for a date with Zambia in another international friendly last month.
The Warriors are preparing to host Egypt in a World Cup qualifier in Harare on June 9.
Zifa yesterday said the match will be played at the National Sports Stadium.
The association’s chief executive, Jonathan Mashingaidze, also announced the gate charges with the cheapest ticket going for US$5 while bays 15-18 tickets will cost US$20.
Those who wish to watch the match from the VVIP tribune will have to fork out US$50.
“The association resolved to stage the epic battle between the Warriors and the Pharaohs at the spacious National Sports Stadium for security reasons. The match will rekindle the old ‘football wars’ between Zimbabwe and Egypt.
“Both teams need to win the match and the security risks are no doubt very high. The match will take place exactly 30 days away from the 13th Anniversary of the July 9, 2000 National Sports Stadium disaster which claimed 13 lives.
“We urge fans to be seated by 1400hrs whereupon all gates will be closed. Merchandise for fans shall be available for purchase,” said Mashingaidze.
Online Reporter