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MIDFIELDER Never Tigere has been drafted into the Warriors squad, for the back-to-back 2022 World Cup qualifiers against the Black Stars, next month.
The Azam FC attacking midfielder is one of the few additions to the team and was picked by interim coach, Norman Mapeza, to try and provide a spark, in the team’s creativity.
There has been concern, in recent matches, that the Warriors have been coming terribly short, when it comes to their creative arm, with the team failing to score, in their opening two group matches.
“Never Tigere has been called up into the squad because the coach appears to be looking for something different, in terms of the attacking strength of the midfield,’’ said sources.
“We expected one or two changes, when the new coach came in, and Never is one of them and he is not someone who is a stranger to the coach.
“He is a player the coach knows quite well.’’
Another Azam FC player, ageless wingback, Bruce Kangwa, has also been drafted into the Warriors squad.
The match in Harare will be played in an empty stadium after CAF turned down a request from ZIFA, to allow a limited number of fans, to watch the game.
“CAF indicated that its decision was based on the review of Zimbabwe’s compliance to expected stadium requirements, safety and security, as well as medical issues, at the National Sports Stadium,’’ ZIFA spokesperson, Xolisani Gwesela, said in statement.
‘’The National Sports Stadium is currently hosting senior men’s international games on a temporary approval, having been deemed unfit in March 2020.
“Reasons for the ban include the absence of bucket seats and electronic access controls, among other issues.
“While FIFA Covid-19 match protocols clearly state that all matches, during the pandemic, must be played behind closed doors, special exemptions to allow spectators into the stadium have been granted to nations with facilities that satisfy required standards.’’
The full Warriors squad, for the battles against Ghana, is set to be announced today.
“All the United Kingdom based players who had been called, for the matches against South Africa and Ethiopia, have again been drafted for the next two matches,’’ the sources said.
“The plan is that if the UK-based players are not able to come and play at home, they will only feature in the match in Ghana and return to their bases.
“But, right now, the coach has been working basing on the possibility the UK-based players will be allowed to come and fulfill the home match against the Black Stars.’’
Marvelous Nakamba, Jordan Zemura, Tendayi Darikwa, Brendan Galloway, Admiral Muskwe and David Moyo are the UK-based players called up for the two matches against Ghana.
Argentina have also selected three English Premier League players for next month’s World Cup qualifiers, despite the South American country remaining on the UK’s travel red-list.
Since Friday, Argentine nationals arriving in the UK do not need to quarantine, as long as they are not coming from their home country, and are vaccinated and test negative for Covid-19.
But, if they have been to Argentina, in recent times, they have to quarantine for 10 days. Nakamba’s Villa teammate, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Tottenham’s Giovani lo Celso and Cristian Romero, have been named in Argentina’s 30-man squad, for their games against Paraguay, Uruguay and Peru from October 8-15.
Villa and Tottenham both have English Premier League fixtures on the weekend of October 16-17.
Martinez and compatriot Emiliano Buendia joined up with their national side, last month, while Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo accepted the club “cannot stop” Lo Celso and Romero travelling too.
Eight English Premiership players have also been in Brazil’s squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers. They are Alisson, Fabinho, Ederson, Gabriel Jesus, Emerson Royal, Thiago Silva, Fred and Raphinha.
There remains a possibility of an agreement being reached, to avoid players having to quarantine for 10 days, on their return.
‘’What I will say is that we are more than grateful for the Brazil players to go to their national team, like we always have been and like we always will be,’’ said Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola.
‘’There is the rule or law that you have to (let them go) but it is also a pleasure.’’ – Sports Reporter/Press Association/BBC Sport
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