adminSikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS’ King Nadolo was a surprise inclusion in the 21-member Zimbabwe Under-23 All-Africa Games qualifiers provisional squad called up by head coach Callisto Pasuwa on Tuesday.The Young Warriors take on Swaziland over the weekend of February 20-22.
Nadolo, a skilful offensive player on his day, only started light training this week after picking up a knock last season and with the team getting into camp tomorrow before the match next week, the player’s full recovery could be badly affected while his fitness levels will also come into question.
It further raises questions of co-ordination and communication between the national team camp and players’ respective teams’ coaches and administration on the fitness levels (mental and or physical) of players targeted for Warriors assignments.
With Fifa stating that injuries for which a player is receiving specific medical treatment when joining a representative team for duty, are not covered under their Club Protection Programme in the event of the injury worsening, it will be risky for the young man to join camp.
Nadolo was called up alongside his Highlanders counterpart, the big and imposing Douglas ‘Mr Jahunda’ Sibanda who had a memorable debut with the national team away in Morocco in which he marked out Marouane Chamakh. If he keeps his head down and makes full use of his body and blistering shots, he could go places.
“The coach has named his squad and we’re still finalising on the logistics of their camp which is expected to begin on Friday evening at the Zifa Village and Conference Centre.
“We’re already behind time but we remain optimistic that the Young Warriors will display good football and go past the first challenge,” Xolisani Gwesela, the Zifa spokesperson said.
The former Dynamos mentor, together with his assistants, Saul Chaminuka and Nation Dube, retained the bulk of the squad they used last year in the three preparatory matches they played against Botswana, Swaziland and Morocco save for Judah Rashirai who plays in America for Real Salt Lake Academy.
The goal scorer against Morocco, Colchester United’s Macauley Bonne retained his place following a memorable debut while Munyaradzi Mbanje and David Moyo were dropped.
Emerging junior powerhouse Bantu Rovers provide three players Teenage Hadebe, Nqobizitha Masuku and Tafadzwa Kutinyu while FC Platinum have four of their players called up.
Also called up was Mamelodi Sundowns’ Kudakwashe Mahachi and Marvelous Nakamba of Vitesse in the Netherlands.
Zimbabwe Under-23 squad
Goal Keepers
Tatenda Mukuruva (Dynamos), Bernard Donovan (How Mine), Tonderai Mateyaunga (Dynamos)
Defenders
Blessing Moyo (Dynamos), Ronald Pfumbidzai (Caps United), Douglas Sibanda (Highlanders), Munyaradzi Diro Nyenye (Harare City), Teenage Hadebe (Bantu Rovers), Kelvin Moyo (FC Platinum)
Midfielders
Nqobizitha Masuku (Bantu Rovers), Wisdom Mutasa (FC Platinum), Walter Musona (FC Platinum), Kudakwashe Mahachi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Marvelous Nakamba (Vitesse), King Nadolo (Highlanders), Rodwell Carlos Rusere (Dynamos)
Strikers
Pritchard Mphelele (Hwange), Tafadzwa Kutinyu (Bantu Rovers), Emmanuel Mandiranga (FC Platinum), Talent Chawapiwa (Harare City), Judah Rashirai (Real Salt lake), Macauley Bonne (Colchester United)
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