Khama Billiat out of Young Warriors tie

against South Africa on Saturday after Ajax Cape Town refused to release star midfielder Khama Billiat for the assignment.
Billiat, who was impressive in the Warriors game against Mali two weeks ago, had been included in the 28-men squad.

Apparently, hopes of getting him for the Young Warriors match were dashed after Ajax asked him to report for pre-season preparations on Thursday.
Billiat had been in camp with the Young Warriors last week and team manager Wellington Mpandare confirmed the new developments last night.
“Ajax Cape Town have refused to release Khama but they have given us the green light to use Tafadzwa Rusike. They said Rusike did not get enough game play last season but he will join them soon after our game against the South Africans,” said Mpandare.

South Africa faced the same problems with Ajax ahead of their Olympic Games qualifier match against Benin as the Urban Warriors held on to their stars Thulani Serero and Thulani Hlatswayo.
Coach Shakes Mashaba claimed Ajax Cape Town refused to send their players to camp, with the exception of Sameehg Doutie.

“We have problems with Serero and Hlatswayo – Ajax refused to send them to camp and said they will never send them to us,” Mashaba told Kickoff Magazine.
“There is no reason stated, but most of the comments we get from the club is that their players are tired. I don’t know tired from what, they never elaborated,” he said.

But Zimbabwe will carry on with their preparations without Billiat.
With Knowledge Musona already out and Ovidy Karuru doubtful, the Young Warriors will be hoping Matthew Rusike arrives on time for the game.
Rusike, who was in the United Kingdom, was expected to join the camp on last night.

FC Platinum’s Joel Ngodzo who was mourning his grandmother last week also joined camp last night.
Most of the players reported back in camp last night and will resume training today at Gwanzura.

A talent-laden Zimbabwe Under-23 team intends to do more than just finish business against their South African counterparts when the two teams engage in the first leg in Johannesburg.