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All-Africa Games final qualifier, second leg tie at Rufaro on Sunday.
The bad news is that two players are down and failed to train with the team yesterday.
But the good news is that two influential players were expected to join in later.
Defender Knowledge Machona is all but out of the final qualifier after sustaining an injury in the reverse fixture.
Team manager Wellington Mpandare said the Monomotapa defender underwent a scan on his knee yesterday is certain to miss the game on Sunday.
“Machona was injured during the game in South Africa and yesterday team doctor Nathan Makanza recommend that he goes for a scan.
“He is also going to see a physio,” said Mpandare.
Striker Matthew Rusike is also down with a bout of flu.
“Rusike went down with flu and it took a lot of medication which forced him to rest for the day,” said Mpandare.
But the good news was that midfielder Archie Gutu was expected to join camp last night.
“Archie should be joining us tonight.
“He should have arrived earlier in the day but I understand that he missed his flight from Johannesburg.
“It’s a boost that Archie is coming and we are also making plans to have Simba Sithole for the game.
“Mamelodi Sundowns said they do not have a problem in releasing Sithole for the game and it’s now up to us to raise funds and buy the air ticket for him,” said Mpandare.
Mpandare is also happy that United States-based striker Ntokozo Tshuma has joined camp and could add to the options upfront.
“Tshuma once played for the national team at Under-17 level and we also have new players like Donald Ngoma and Hardlife Mavundi who are eager to prove themselves.
“Competition for places is intense and we will have a tough time to come up with the final 18, let alone the starting 11,” said Mpandare.
The Young Warriors, Mpandare said, were happy that the game had been moved to Rufaro after having been slated for the National Sports Stadium.
“Playing at Rufaro will be an advantage for us because our players are used to playing at the artificial surface while the South Africans may struggle,” said Mpandare.
Meanwhile, South Africa, who are carrying a 2-0 lead from the first leg were expected to arrive in Harare last night.
Zifa programmes officer Christopher Manuel said the South Africans had indicated that they will arrive in a delegation of 29 people.
South Africa are expected to train twice today at Rufaro and could use the National Sports Stadium tomorrow.
Manuel said Zifa have pegged the rest of ground ticket at US$3 while the western grand stands are US$5 and the VIP is US$10.
Online Reporter