adminBukhosi Mangena Sports Correspondent
THE Sables preparations for next weekend’s crunch Africa Cup A1 away tie against Namibia got off to a false start after 11 key players withdrew due to club commitments and injuries.
Zimbabwe’s players had been expected to start camp on Thursday but due to unavailability of the bulk of the players, coach Cyprian Mandenge said they will group in Harare tomorrow.
French-based forward Farai Mudariki who turns out for Castres and Martin Wolfenden who plays for English side Coventry could not be released by their clubs alongside Antipas Kamwindo who plies his trade in Germany for TV Pforzheim.
Studies have also ruled out Njabulo Ndlovu and Simba Mandiwona who are students at University of Johannesburg while Pieter Jourbert cited work commitments.
Mandenge said without a fully functional local league, the Sables technical team and selectors will have to do with mostly locally based players, including a few uncapped youngsters.
Last month the Sables used overseas players blended with a few locally based players to claim the two Africa Cup 1A victories against heavyweights Kenya and Tunisia at Harare’s Prince Edward.
Mandenge said it is going to be hard for them in Namibia.
“We’re going to face an uphill task as we all know that the Namibians are the team to beat. We would have loved to start camp on Thursday but the players excused themselves with most of the overseas based players saying their clubs wouldn’t release them. I know that the ZRU are doing all they can to make sure that we go into camp as soon as possible and I believe by Sunday we’ll be training with those that are available,” said Mandenge.
Sables captain Denford Mutamangira who is on the books of Durban based side Sharks which is participating in South Africa’s domestic league, the Currie Cup is expected in Harare this afternoon alongside teammate Riaan O’Neill. The two Sharks players watched the Currie Cup kick off last night.
Lenience Tambwera, Sanele Sibanda, Fortune Chipendo and Andrew Rose are expected to be among the players to lead the Sables in Namibia.
Biselele Tshamala and Tangai Nemadire who are not new to national team setup are key figures in Mandenge’s squad.
While Zimbabwe have had a shoddy start to their preparations, Namibia will have the comfort of a full-strength squad after their national association managed to negotiate with South Africa based clubs for release of their players for the Sables tie.
Sables players out: Farai Mudariki, Martin Wolfenden, Njabulo Ndlovu, Pieter Jourbert, Tapfuma Parirenyatwa, Lawrence Cleminson, Shingai Mpofu, Boyd Rouse, Antipas Kamwindo, Gardner Nechironga, Cleopas Makotose
Sables players in: Denford Mutamangira, Tichafara Makwanya, Fortune Chipendo, Tatenda Murwira, Royal Mwale, Andrew Rose, Sanele Sibanda, Biselele Tshamala, Kingsley Lang, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Tangai Nemadire, Lenience Tambwera, Stephen Hunduza
Online Reporter