Warriors begin preps

able to join camp at the weekend.
The Warriors technical team, led by Rahman Gumbo, got down to business at Rufaro with 11 players attending the first day of training from the provisional squad of 24 announced by Zifa recently.
Gumbo and his assistants David Mandigora, Peter Ndlovu and Richard Tswatswa, however, appeared unmoved by the slow start as they expect more players to troop into camp as the week comes to an end.
Zimbabwe have found it difficult to secure most of their players in time for a good preparation as the fixture falls on a Fifa date for friendlies, which only obliges clubs to release players three days before the game.
The Warriors will face Burundi in the first leg of their preliminary round encounter in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next Wednesday.
Team manager, Nyika Chifamba, yesterday said four European-based players had confirmed that they would have joined camp by today.
Plymouth Argyle leftback, Onismor Bhasera, who is returning to the fold after shaking off a long-term injury, was scheduled to arrive last night while Musa Mguni, Dickson Choto and Archford Gutu are expected today.
But the trio of Knowledge Musona, Noel Kaseke and Vusa Nyoni will fly directly to the Burundi capital Bujumbura on Sunday after fulfilling league commitments with their clubs.
“We started off slowly but we hope to pick it up from there,” said Chifamba.
“We would have wanted everyone here but again if you look at the fixture the game falls in mid-week which is also a Fifa date for international friendlies.
“Some clubs have indicated that they have important matches at the weekend and they need the players to play their part before coming here.
“There is nothing we can do about it because the rule says clubs can only release players three days before the game in case of international friendly dates and it seems some of them are getting away with it,” said Chifamba.
Locally based players — Charles Sibanda, Denver Mukamba, Marlon Jani, Tapuwa Kumbuyani, Donald Ngoma, Godfrey Moyo, Roderick Mutuma and George Chigova — attended yesterday’s training session.
Until yesterday only three foreign-based players — Kaizer Chiefs’ Abbas Amidu and the Botswana-based duo of Arnold Chaka and Mandla Sibanda — had reported for duty.
While there was no clear word about first choice goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini, who is one of the six Warriors plying their trade in South Africa, Kaizer Chiefs have indicated that Tinashe Nengomasha will only be released at the weekend after in their away fixture to Bidvest Wits on Saturday.
Nyandoro, Carlington Nyadombo and Terrence Mandaza are still expected to join the team from South Africa. 
“The South African league has just resumed and the clubs have commitments at the weekend.
“Kaizer Chiefs manager Bobby Moutang phoned us and indicated that they have an important game at the weekend.
“He said Tinashe is their captain and they want to use him on Saturday.”
However, Gumbo will have a few days to look at the players.
The squad will be trimmed to 18 at the weekend.
“The selection of the travelling squad is the prerogative of the coaches but we need to confirm our tickets by Friday.
“So by then we should have our final squad of 18,” said Chifamba.
Gumbo, who was installed in an interim basis early this month, was left with a daunting task to raise a competitive side following the suspension of nearly 100 players by Zifa for their alleged involvement in the Asiagate scandal.
“We are building a new team and when you go through this phase you are bound to face many challenges.
“ This is one of the challenges but we have to take it in our stride.
“What is needed at the moment is everyone’s support.
“The coach has shown great commitment because on Sunday he was in Swaziland and now he is here with the team.
“We need to rally behind him and the team so that we fly the nation’s flag high,” said Chifamba.