NEW: Teenagers make it into Warriors’ AFCON squad

Sports Reporter

TWO teenage players, Bill Antonio (18) of Dynamos and FC Platinum’s Panashe Mutimbanyoka (19), have been named in a 30-man Warriors provisional squad announced Tuesday.

National team coach, Norman Mapeza, and his technical members are now expected to trim the squad to 23 by December 31.

Camp begins on Thursday in Harare.

Dynamos’ consistent defender, Frank Makarati, is also part of the squad, while Cranborne Bullets’ roving right back, Tapiwa Sibanda, has also been rewarded for his good performances for the Premier Soccer League new boys.

Luton Town striker, Admiral Muskwe, and Azam star, Prince Dube, have been recalled and are among the six attackers in the enlarged squad.

Skipper Knowledge Musona (Al- Tai), Tinotenda Kadewere (Olympic Lyon), Knox Mutizwa (Golden Arrows) and David Moyo (Hamilton Academical) make up the strikers’ list.

Mapeza also stuck with veterans Onismor Bhasera (35) and Thabani Kamusoko (33), but the gaffer did not include FC Platinum’s Rahman Kutsanzira, who played a part in the World Cup qualifiers.

“The Warriors technical team has named 30 players in the provisional squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.

“The team will begin training on December 23, 2021 in Harare. The tournament will be played from January 9 to February 6, 2022 in Cameroon.

“The final 23 players will be selected on December 31,” reads a statement from ZIFA.

SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS: Petros Mhari (FC Platinum), Martin Mapisa (FC Zamora), Talbert Shumba (Free State Stars), Taimon Mvula (Dynamos)

DEFENDERS: Peter Muduwa (Highlanders), Alec Mudimu (Torpedo Kutaisi), Takudzwa Chimwemwe (Nkana), Jordan Zemura (AFC Bournemouth), Tapiwa Sibanda (Cranborne), Godknows Murwira, Frank Makarati (Dynamos), Gerald Takwara (Venda Football Academy), Teenage Hadebe (Houston Dynamo), Bruce Kangwa (Azam), Onismor Bhasera (SuperSport United)

MIDFIELDERS: Temptation Chiwunga (JDR Stars), Kelvin Madzongwe (FC Platinum), Bill Antonio (Dynamos), Thabani Kamusoko (Zesco United), Never Tigere (Azam), Kudakwashe Mahachi (SuperSport United), Shepherd Mhlanga (Chicken Inn), Ishmael Wadi (JDR Stars), Panashe Mutimbanyoka (FC Platinum)

STRIKERS: Admiral Muskwe (Luton Town), Knox Mutizwa (Golden Arrows), Prince Dube (Azam), David Moyo (Hamilton Academical), Knowledge Musona (Al-Tai), Tinotenda Kadewere (Olympique Lyonnais)