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Zimbabwe have a busy schedule that begins with the World Cup qualifier against Egypt at the National Sports Stadium in two weeks time before flying out to Guinea the following weekend.
Zimbabwe, who are also expected to face Mauritius in the first leg of the 2014 African Nations Championships qualifiers, are expected to assemble their squad comprising both local and foreign-based professionals after the Premiership games on Sunday.
“We should be going in camp next week, probably Sunday or Monday, after the Premiership games. I hope the one week will be enough time to get things together,” said Mutasa.
“Most of the foreign-based players, I am sure they are here since there isn’t much action outside our borders now.
“We have been keeping a close eye on all the foreign-based players. The idea is to have the best squad under the circumstances as we hope to move forward as quickly as possible.”
Mutasa yesterday told The Herald they are making positive strides since their technical team, headed by Klaus-Dieter Pagels, was installed at the beginning of the year.
Despite the Warriors’ dreams for making it to next year’s World Cup in Brazil having been extinguished after the first round games in a group that also includes neighbours Mozambique, Mutasa said Zimbabwe are looking to build for the future.
They also have one eye on the Castle Cosafa Cup to be hosted by Zambia in July where Zimbabwe will be looking to defend their title.
The locally-based Warriors are coming from a 1-1 draw away in Malawi.
Monomotapa striker Kuda Musharu grabbed the important goal after South Africa’s Bidvest Wits striker Robin Ngalande had given the hosts the lead.
Mutasa, who was in charge together with Peter Ndlovu in the absence of head coach Pagels, was particularly impressed by FC Platinum forward Charles Sibanda and CAPS United’s Hardlife Zvirekwi.
“Considering that we only had one day to train with the boys, I think we played very well in Malawi.
“We had the larger share of possession and a number of chances coming our way which we, however, couldn’t utilise.
“Otherwise it was an important outing which gave us an opportunity to build our depth and provide an element of togetherness.
“Last month we played Zambia and we had a host of exciting players there although only a few really impressed.
“If you look at guys like Hardlife Zvirekwi and Charles Sibanda, they were really impressive. Zvirekwi was part of the team that went to Egypt but we have other players coming in and I can tell you Sibanda was one of the outstanding players in Malawi.
“What we want now is to get the players together, both local and foreign-based, and I am sure we should play a warm-up match during the midweek.
‘If we cannot get an international opponent then we might have to play a Premier Soccer League Select,” said Mutasa.
The Warriors remain bottom in the World Cup qualifiers with one point from three matches, while Egypt are now favourites to come out tops.
Online Reporter