Chronicle Editor
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
PLAYERS that were not part of the Warriors’ 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers are reportedly keen to be considered for the national team and coach Zdravko Logarusic now says they will not deny anyone a chance.
The Croat, who led Zimbabwe to a fifth Afcon finals since making their maiden appearance at the continental extravaganza in Tunisia in 2004, made headlines after blocking some international stars after the Warriors secured qualification, saying he only wants players that love their country and are committed to the cause.
He said he had blue-ticked and blocked some Europe-based stars on WhatsApp for ignoring his international call-ups before the Warriors qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations finals, but were now trying to reach out after Zimbabwe sailed through.
Loga, however, now appears to have had a change of heart.
“We have a situation where new players want to be part of the team, but we are not in a hurry to choose. We will not deny anyone, but we will carefully choose who is for us and who is not,” said Loga on Zifa’s Twitter timeline.
Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson and former Everton left-back Brendan Galloway are among the stars that have expressed interest to be part of the Warriors’ set-up for the Afcon finals, having previously been lukewarm to call-ups.
Galloway had hoped to play for England, who he represented at junior level, and ignored a call-up for the 2017 Afcon finals.
He instead chose to be part of the England Under-21 squad that was competing in the Euro Under-21 qualifiers. — @ZililoR
Online Reporter