admin
Langton Nyakwenda
WARRIORS coach Kallisto Pasuwa warns that he will not tolerate Rodreck Mutuma’s wayward behavior as the national team troops into camp to start their preparations for next month’s African Nations Championships (CHAN) finals in Rwanda.
The short-fused Mutuma, who has hogged the limelight for the wrong reasons in recent weeks, is part of the 32-man provisional Warriors squad expected in camp tonight.
Last Sunday, the Dynamos striker was red carded for kicking Highlanders striker Ralph Matema in the dying minutes of an Easycall Cup semi-final at Barbourfields.
He is also fresh from a Premier Soccer League Disciplinary Committee conviction for violently charging at referee Philani Ncube after the Chibuku Super Cup final against Harare City at the National Sports on October 31.
The controversial striker also grabbed the headlines in September when he was involved in a training ground bust-up with club teammate Takesure Chinyama.
Pasuwa is not amused.
“We do not need such kind of behavior at national team level, that is not on. Roddy has to change his attitude forthwith if he wants to fit into our system,” he said.
“He needs some serious counseling so we will sit down and talk with him during camp. We are going for a big tournament and such kind of behavior will not do any good to the image of the country.
“We will be playing in a three-week tournament and we can’t afford to lose players along the way because of unnecessary suspensions.”
Mutuma is a key player in the local Warriors ensemble with his three goals in both legs of the CHAN final qualifier against Lesotho propelling the country to a fourth consecutive appearance at the biennial tournament.
Meanwhile, Pasuwa has made a last minute change to his squad with Harare City’s tear away winger Talent Chawapihwa coming in to replace the injured Hwange forward Pritchard Mpelele.
“Save for that change, we expect all players in camp Sunday night (today). We might excuse those who are playing in the Easycall Cup final between Highlanders and Chicken Inn.
“We have drawn up our plan and it is now in the hands of the Zifa secretariat, we just hope everything goes according to plan,” said Pasuwa.
The 16-team CHAN finals will be held between January 16 and February 7 and Zimbabwe are in a tricky Group D comprising Mali, Uganda and neighbours Zambia.
The Warriors open their account on January 19 with a clash against Chipolopolo before dating Mali four days later.
They will complete their group games against Uganda on January 27.
The top two teams from each group qualify for the quarterfinals.
Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers: Elvis Chipezeze (Chicken Inn FC), Tatenda Mukuruva (Dynamos FC), Takabva Mawaya (Hwange Colliery FC), Donovan Bernard (How Mine FC)
Defenders: Stephen Makatuka (CAPS United FC), Blessing Moyo (Dynamos FC), Bruce Kangwa (Highlanders FC), Ocean Mushure (Dynamos FC), Elisha Muroiwa (Dynamos FC), Teenage Hadebe (Highlanders FC), Lawrence Mhlanga (Chicken Inn FC ), Hardlife Zvirekwi (CAPS United FC) Farai Madhananga (Flame lily FC)
Midfielders: Nqobizitha Masuku (Highlanders FC), Tichaona Chipunza (Triangle FC), Ronald Chitiyo (Dynamos FC), Raphael Manuvire (ZPC Kariba FC), Tafadzwa Kutinyu (Chicken Inn FC), George Majika (Chicken Inn FC), Marshall Mudehwe (FC Platinum), William Manondo (Harare City FC), Danny Phiri (Chicken Inn FC), Gerald Takwara (FC Platinum), Joel Ngodzo (Caps United FC) Hilary Bakacheza (Triangle United FC).
Forwards: Talent Chawapiwa (Harare City FC), Rodreck Mutuma (Dynamos FC), Edmore Chirambadare (Chicken Inn FC), Brian Muzondiwa (FC Platinum), Francisco Zikumbawire (Harare City FC), Knox Mtizwa ( Highlanders FC), Moses Demera (Flame Lily FC)
Online Reporter