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Ray Bande in Mutare
WARRIORS’ caretaker coach J is this afternoon expected to fine-tune the senior national squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifying matches in South Africa.
The original squad was selected by Brazilian-born Portuguese Baltemar Brito and ZIFA’s FIFA Forward manager Kudzi Chitima as the association was running out of time to send requests for release letters to foreign clubs.
Tapera was appointed last Friday together with Saul Chaminuka, Takesure Chiragwi, and veteran Sunday Chidzambwa as the technical advisor.
The coaches were, however, only formally handed their appointment letters on Monday afternoon at the meeting they held with the ZIFA officials.
Tapera yesterday hinted that he would not make wholesome changes to the squad that is in place. The Castle Lager Premiership Coach for April will begin his tenure with a home-away-from-home Group C qualifier against Lesotho at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on June 7.
Four days later, the Manica Diamonds coach will have a battle of wits against South Africa’s seasoned Belgian tactician Hugo Broos when the Warriors square off against Bafana Bafana at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Tapera said they were reviewing the squad that is before them announcing the list of the men who will duty in the World Cup qualifiers.
The Manica Diamonds coach is also expected to name his side for the COSAFA Cup that will follow soon after the World Cup qualifiers. Tapera’s move to formally announce the squad also puts paid to the bogus side that had been circulated on social media yesterday.
“I think we will able to announce the names in the squad that will do national duty in South Africa tomorrow (today) by the end of the day,” Tapera said.
“If all goes according to plan, we should be able to finish the task by then.
“From what is on the ground, we will have to make do with the core of the squad that has been doing national duty in recent assignments.
“Surely, there is no time to experiment or try too many new faces.
“We just have to build on what has been there. After all, the squad has been in the hands of Baltemar Britto and Norman Mapeza.
“These are experienced and good coaches that we believe have set a base we can carry on from,” Tapera said.
Tapera, however, did not rule out making a few additions.
“Where we feel there is a need to make changes, we will duly do so but like I said the basis of the squad has to be from those that have been there,” he said.
However, any changes that Tapera and his crew might make, few as they should, would largely lead to call up for local talent as replacements given that the latest appointments of the Warriors technical staff have come a little too late for some release letters to be sent to foreign clubs.
FIFA rules and regulations demand that associations wishing to call up a player must notify the player in writing at least 14 days before the first day of the international window.
Warriors’ rivals Lesotho and South Africa have since announced provisional squads for the upcoming matches against Zimbabwe. Tapera thanked the ZIFA Normalisation Committee for rendering his newly appointed ad-hoc technical department the necessary support needed to effectively execute their duties.
“It is also important for us to note that the Normalisation Committee has been adequately supportive after they appointed us.
“It is an honour to lead the national team, therefore, we will duly give it our all and hopefully make the nation proud after the assignments at hand,” he said.
Online Reporter