adminassignment.
The Warriors lost that game 1-0 but it is the circumstances surrounding that trip which irked Pagels and there had been fears that he might have abandoned ship after he connected straight to Germany from Dakar, Senegal while the rest of the Zimbabwe delegation headed back to Harare.
Pagels is also still to agree terms for a fresh contract with Zifa that should succeed the government to government deal that is currently in place and expires on July 31.
It will also be the first time that Pagels will have a competitive assignment where he will use only locally- based players as the Warriors are also using this game to prepare for the African Nations Championships qualifier against Mauritius which will follow just days after the Cosafa tournament.
The Cosafa tournament returns after a three-year absence and will run from July 6 to July 21 in three of Zambia’s cities — Lusaka, Kitwe and Ndola.
Zimbabwe by virtue of being champions have been seeded and will only start the defence of their title at the quarter-final stage.
But they face a cagey assignment against Malawi who they date on July 13
Pagels is understood to have been in constant touch with his technical staff and has already named the squad that will do battle at the Cosafa tournament.
In a bid not to disrupt the Premiership programme which was facing a congested fixture, the Warriors technical team have been asked to widen their selection base and ensure they do not pick more than two players from one club.
While Pagels is on his sabbatical in Germany, his number Two man in the Warriors dressing room Lloyd Mutasa was also getting a new full-time job when being appointed the FC Platinum coach.
Crucially for Mutasa and the Warriors, FC Platinum indicated that they would be free to release the coach for his national team commitments, just like they did during Rahman Gumbo’s era.
The Cosafa tournament has in the past seen raw talent bursting onto the bigger international and as has been the case over the years, a number of club scouts are expected to descend on Zambia for the regional competition.
It is a tournament that has previously provided the platform for such players like South Africa’s Katlego Mphela, Teko Modise, Namibian Collin Benjamin and Botswana’s Dipsy Selolwane to express their talents.
Locally such players such Benjani Mwaruwari, Nyasha Mushekwi, Darryl Nyandoro and James Matola got international recognition after featuring in the competition.
Squads:
Zimbabwe
Goalkeepers: Maxwell Nyamupangedengu, Tafadzwa Dube, Munyaradzi Diya.
Defenders: Felix Chindungwe, Ocean Mushure, Nicholas Guyo, Hardlife Zvirekwi, Prosper Matizanadzo, Eric Chipeta.
Midfielders: Masimba Mambare, Ronald Chitiyo, Charles Sibanda, Silas Songani, Devon Chafa, Nicholas Guyo.
Strikers: Tendai Ndoro, Simba Sithole, Last Chibwiro, Lot Chiwunga.
Malawi
Goalkeepers: Owen Chaima, Charles Swini.
Defenders: Sankhani Mkandawire, Douglas Chirambo, John Lanjesi, Lucky Malata, Bongani Kaipa, George Nyirenda.
Midfielders: Junior Chimodzi, Fisher Kondowe, Davie Banda, Patrick Gunde, Ndaziona Chatsalira, Joel Chipofya, Frank Banda, Chimango Kaira
Strikers: Gaston Simkonda, Gabadinho Mhango, Rodrick Gonani, Missiam Mhone.
Online Reporter