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in one of the two changes made to the side when they resumed preparations for the first leg of the All-Africa Games qualifier against Botswana set for this Friday in Gaborone.
Team manager Wellington Mupandare yesterday said Mutuma was no longer in their plans after it emerged that he is not eligible to play for the youth team because he is over the age limit.
Chicken Inn goalkeeper Liberty Chirava reportedly turned down the call and was replaced by Motor Action’s Francis Nicho, while Kiglon striker Patrick Kaunda came in for Mutuma.
The team had their training at Rufaro yesterday with all players in attendance.
“We had called 23 players in camp and everyone is now here except for two players Mutuma and Chirava.
“But we have taken in replacements to fill in the gaps. Mutuma has since turned 23 hence we can no longer consider him at this level.
“The team will have their last two training sessions tomorrow and the final 18 will be announced after the morning workout,” said Mupandare.
The Young Warriors are expected to leave for Gaborone by road early tomorrow and will have 24 hours to prepare for the match.
The technical team indicated that they had wanted the squad in camp for a longer period but funds were not available.
However, Mupandare said they were still comfortable with the few days they have to prepare since they have been working with virtually the same group since the beginning of the qualifiers.
“The good thing is most of the players are playing first team football with their Premiership clubs.
“They have been involved since the beginning of the season and we just need to fine tune them,” said Mupandare.
Zimbabwe qualified for this stage following a 4-3 aggregate win over northern neighbours Zambia in the preliminary round.
The Young Warriors posted a sensational 3-2 victory in Lusaka in the first leg and then drew 1-1 in the reverse fixture at Rufaro in February.
The good showing by the team seem to have tempted coach Friday Phiri and his lieutenants to keep faith in the players who did duty in the preliminary round over Zambia.
The technical team last week announced a largely unchanged squad, with only one notable inclusion in Trevor Mutero, who plays for the juniors’ side of the English Championship side Reading.
Mutero and South Africa-based and Jomo Cosmos forward Matthew Rusike, are the only foreign-based professionals in the side.
Phiri has dropped Blessing Sande, Passmore Bernard, and Steven Matsangaise from the squad which played against Zambia.
Shooting Stars defender Charles Mutero has been recalled to replace Knowledge Machona, who is ineligible after acquiring two yellow cards from the previous encounters.
CAPS United goal-scoring prodigy Simba Sithole, Highlanders goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda, Joel Ngodzo, Lincoln Zvasiya, Qadr Amini and the Dynamos quartet of Archford Gutu, Devon Chafa, Denver Mukamba and Timire Mamvura have been retained in the squad.
Botswana drew 1-1 with Swaziland before winning 1-0 in the return leg in Mbabane to book their date against Zimbabwe.
But the Young Zebras have suffered a setback after crashing out of the Olympic Games qualifiers at the hands of Egypt on a 3-2 aggregate on Sunday.
Botswana’s 2-1 victory at home was not enough to overturn the 2-0 deficit they had suffered in the first leg.
Zimbabwe Squad
Goalkeepers: A. Sibanda, G. Chigova, F. Nicho
Defenders: L. Zvasiya, Q. Amin, O. Mwerahari, V. Kamhuka, C. Mutero, B. Chimwamuchere, E. Nkomo
Midfielders: J. Ngodzo, A. Amidu, W. Kamudyariwa, T. Mamvura, A. Gutu, D. Chafa, R. Madamombe, T. Mutero
Strikers: D. Mukamba, M. Rusike, S. Sithole, P. Kaunda.
Online Reporter