adminMIDFIELD ace Wisdom Mutasa has put his country first and availed himself for selection despite an imminent departure to Slovakia for trials.
The FC Platinum midfielder is expected to play a leading role in the Warriors’ quest for a third consecutive dance at CHAN.
Mutasa is expected to fly out for a three-week trial stint with Slovakian top flight side FK Senica on Tuesday.
The 20-year-old will be accompanied by club mate Walter Musona.
The trial has been facilitated by former Warriors midfielder Kennedy Chihuri, who starred for Viktoria Zizkov in the Czech Republic.
Aces Youth Academy director Nigel Munyati confirmed the trial program hinting the duo will be in for a longer stay in Europe should they fail to make the grade at Senica.
“They are leaving on Tuesday and will be at Senica for three weeks. We are always on the lookout for opportunities to take our players to Europe and this trial has been facilitated by (Kennedy) Chihuri who is our link in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. We are actually in the process of arranging another trial stint for them in the event that they fail to make it at Senica.
“I think this is a big opportunity for the boys and our football in general. I am still convinced the solution to exposing our players to higher standards of football lies in Europe and not South Africa.
“Slovakia gives them a better platform to break into the better leagues in Europe,” said Munyati.
Musona will be eager to finally make a much desired foreign league breakthrough having previously failed to make the grade at crack Tunisian side Esperance as well as South African money bags Mamelodi Sundowns.
Mutasa captained the Young Warriors as they stunned a fancied Cameron to book a place at this year’s Africa Games to be held in Congo Brazzaville.
The same team is still in the running for another ticket to the CAF Youth Championships and will face South Africa in the next stage of the qualifiers.
However, Mutasa and Musona will have to forget about the Young Warriors and FC Platinum for now and turn attention on convincing coach Eduard Pagac.
Pagac’s men finished fifth in the just ended season, two places from the Europa League qualification slots.
They were also losing finalists in the Slovak Cup.
Warriors probable line up:
T. Mukuruva, B. Moyo, D. Lunga, L. Chakoroma, D. Phiri, N. Masuku, W. Mutasa, E. Rusike, T. Kadewere, T. Hadebe, R. Chitiyo
Online Reporter