admin
Harare Bureau
COSAFA champions Zimbabwe will get down to serious business today when they begin preparations for this year’s edition of the tournament currently underway in Zambia. The team, which was boosted by the return of German coach Klaus Dieter Pagels at the weekend from a short sabbatical in his home country, had a full house last night as all players turned up for the camp.
The Warriors will hold their first training session this morning ahead of their scheduled departure on Thursday.
Team manager Patrick Mutesva, who is standing in for Sharif Mussa, yesterday said the team will train twice each day during their brief camping period.
The tournament kicked off at the weekend with the first round matches but Zimbabwe, who had a bye, will only get involved on Saturday when they face old foes Malawi in the quarter-finals.
“All the players that were called up have reported for camp and we will start training tomorrow (today).
“The good thing is we have no reports of any injuries that we have received as yet and the team doctors will also ascertain the fitness of the players before we depart on Thursday morning,” said Mutesva.
However, there have been concerns over Black Mambas midfielder Nicholas Alifandika who missed his team’s clash against Triangle at the weekend because of an ankle injury.
The selection was limited to a maximum of two players from each club so that the domestic Castle Lager Premiership programme will not be disturbed.
While the squad comprises mostly inexperienced players, Pagels will be happy with his new strikers Tendai Ndoro and Simba Sithole’s form with both players having been on target for their teams at the weekend.
Ndoro, who is the current leading scorer in the Castle Lager Premiership with 11 goals after 16 games, helped Chicken Inn salvage a point at home against Shabanie on Friday.
Sithole, who has enjoyed a good spell in his debut season in the top-flight, was the hero when How Mine shocked champions Dynamos 1-0 at Luveve on Saturday with his sixth goal of the season.
Others like Ronald Chitiyo, Devon Chafa, Ali Sadiki, Felix Chindungwe and goalkeepers Tafadzwa Dube, Maxwell Nyamupangedengu and Munyaradzi Diya have also been doing well for their teams.
Zimbabwe hold the distinction of being the only team to have won the regional tournament four times and coach Pagels and his band of locally-based players will be chasing another milestone.
But they should expect stiff competition from hosts Zambia, South Africa and Angola who are among the top seeds.
This year’s tournament features 13 nations, including guests Kenya from the Cecafa region.
Meanwhile, former Warriors striker Nyasha Mushekwi got a goal and an assist while on trial at Belgian side KV Oosternde.
The Mamelodi Sundowns striker is on a 10-day trial and was handed a starting spot in the 3-0 win against Eendracht.
Oosternde face RWDM Brussels tomorrow and Mushekwi is expected to be handed another start before returning to South Africa.
Zimbabwe Squad
Goalkeepers: Maxwell Nyamupangedengu (Harare City), Munyaradzi Diya (Highlanders), Tafadzwa Dube (CAPS United)
Defenders: Hardlife Zvirekwi (CAPS United), Felix Chindungwe (Chicken Inn), Ocean Mushure (Dynamos), Eric Chipeta (Hwange), Nicholas Guyo (Monomotapa), Prosper Matizanadzo (Buffaloes)
Midfielders: Masimba Mambare (Highlanders), Devon Chafa (Dynamos), Charles Sibanda (FC Platinum), Silas Songani (Harare City), Ronald Chitiyo (Monomotapa), Nicholas Alifandika (Black Mambas), Ali Sadiki (FC Platinum)
Strikers: Tendai Ndoro (Chicken Inn), Lot Chiwunga (Black Rhinos), Simba Sithole (How Mine), Last Chibwiro (Black Mambas).
Online Reporter