Chronicle Editor
Eddie Chikamhi, Harare Bureau
GANGLY defender Denis Dauda will wear the skipper’s armband tomorrow when Zimbabwe take on Namibia in a must-win Africa Nations Championship qualifier at the National Sports Stadium in a remarkable transformation for the centreback.
Dauda has in the past few weeks been in the eye of a storm after being off-loaded by Caps United and moving to Yadah Stars.
Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambwa yesterdayw settled for the Yadah defender to lead the team on the pitch after Ocean Mushure was ruled out with a swollen knee.
Mushure was injured when he landed awkwardly in the 0-1 defeat to the Brave Warriors in the first leg last week in Windhoek.
The medical team has been working round the clock on the captain but Chidzambwa was forced to drop him from his plans after he failed to recover on time.
Zimbabwe will also be without key players Gerald Takwara, who is still recuperating from a bout of flu, and winger Talent Chawapiwa, who is expected to leave for his new club in South Africa today.
Defender Jameson Mukombwe was another worry for the veteran coach after the Black Rhinos man picked an ankle injury during the preparations.
However, Chidzambwa remained upbeat of Zimbabwe’s chances of turning around the deficit after ringing changes to the side by calling over half-a-dozen new players who include midfield wizard Ronald Chitiyo, Devon Chafa, Milton Ncube, Peter Muduhwa, Marshal Mudehwe, Honest Moyo and teenage sensation Leeroy Mavunga who has just returned home from a trial stint in Portugal.
“I would rather say our first game in Namibia was the first half, we are now facing the second half and I think we are ready for the battle.
“Namibia are not a bad side. They played very well. They have very good players and we have to look out on those players and make sure we close them down and at the same time we try to create meaningful challenges and put them away,” said Chidzambwa.
Following last week’s setback, Zimbabwe will need to avoid conceding at home while goals are needed to keep their dream of a fifth successive appearance at the Chan finals alive.
Zim Squad
Goalkeepers: Herbert Rusawo (Black Rhinos), Petros Mhari (FC Platinum), Takabva Mawaya (Ngezi Platinum).
Defenders: Dennis Dauda (Yadah FC), Jimmy Dzingai (Yadah), Jimmy Tigere (Harare City), Divine Lunga (Chicken Inn), Milton Ncube (How Mine), Praise Tonha (How Mine), Honest Moyo, Peter Muduwa (Highlanders), Jameson Mukombwe (Black Rhinos).
Midfielders: Marshall Mudehwe (FC Platinum), Ronald Chitiyo (Caps Utd), Innocent Mucheneka (Chicken Inn), Simon Munawa (Highlanders), Liberty Chakoroma (Ngezi Platinum), Raphael Manuvire (ZPC Kariba), Leeroy Mavhunga (Yadah), Devon Chafa (Caps Utd).
Strikers: Abbas Amidu (Caps Utd), Francisco Zekumbawire (ZPC Kariba), Prince Dube (Highlanders).
Online Reporter