adminThe match is in preparation for the World Cup qualifier against Egypt next month.
Making a return to the squad is former Dynamos goalkeeper Washington Arubi now in South Africa with Pretoria University and is deputised by Harare City’s Maxwel Nyamupanedengu and Dembare’s Artwell Mukandi.
Only three Europe-based players made it to the team, Quincy Antipas who plays in Denmark, Archford Gutu who plays is Sweden and Germany based Knowledge Musona.
In South Africa, nine players were called while 11 locals made it to the squad that will group on Sunday evening in Harare.
Highlanders’ duo of Masimba Mambare and Peter Moyo have also been called up and there was no room for the ever green trio of Innocent Mapuranga, Erick Mudzingwa and Mthulisi Maphosa despite their telling performances last season as well as the Chicken Inn duo of Felix Chindungwe and Kudakwashe Mahachi. Also missing the cut was 2012 Golden Boot winner, Nelson Maziwisa.
“The room is still open for other players in our future assignments but these were the coaches choice for now,” said Warriors manager Sharif Mussa as he announced the squad yesterday afternoon.
German national Dieter Klaus-Pagels is assisted by Lloyd Mutasa and goalkeepers’ trainer Nkululeko Dlamini as the legendary Peter Ndlovu is still recuperating at home.
It is however the sincerity in the Warriors’ “rebuilding” programme that will be under scrutiny as some of the Europe-based players called into the team have not been regulars in their respective teams while players like Bradley Pritchard who plays for Championship side Charlton Athletic and Onesimo Bhasera for Plymouth in England have been playing on a regular basis and their leagues are in full swing. The same applies to Eddie Mashinya, Vusa Nyoni and Ovidy Karuru.
Mamelodi Sundowns’ Nyasha Mushekwi has also been in good form in his team’s last few friendlies even before the half season break.
Of the three Europe-based players called, only Antipas has been playing regularly for Brondby and scoring great goals.
The biggest casualty though is Highlanders’ Sibanda who proved to all and sundry that he was among the best this country has ever produced by conceding just 14 goals in 29 league games appearances, half the number Nyamupanedengu’s Harare City conceded.
Squad
Washington Arubi, Maxwell Nyamupanedengu, Knowledge Musona, Quincy Antipas, Archford Gutu, Khama Billiat, Denver Mukamba, Gilbert Mapemba, Abbas Amidu, Tafadzwa Rusike, Mathew Rusike, Simba Sithole, Lloyd Zvasiya, Rodrick Mutuma, Ronald Chitiyo, Silas Sirungane, Nicholas Ganya, Hardlife Zvirekwi, Artwell Mukandi, Peter Moyo, Masimba Mambare, Ocean Mushure, Partson Jaure.
Online Reporter