adminedition of the event, which kicks off this weekend in Dar es Salaam.
National team coach, Norman Mapeza, will lead a 20-member developmental side, which got in camp on Wednesday afternoon in preparation for the challenge.
The team will be captained by Warriors’ defender Daniel Veremu and has several rookies, who include DC Academy’s promising defender Tinashe Masika, who joined the squad from South Africa yesterday, FC Platinum’s Joel Ngodzo, Donald Ngoma and the Gunners’ quartet of goalkeeper George Chigova, Qadr Amini, Cliff Sekete and Leonard Fiyado.
Zimbabwe will play their first game against Djibouti on Sunday and team manager Wellington Mpandare said they were looking forward to the challenge, which gives them the opportunity to look at various options for the Warriors.
“As I have said before, this is more of development than the immediate result that we may want.
“Of course we aim to play competitively but this is more about getting the exposure than anything else.
“The players are guaranteed at least three games in the group stages and whatever happens afterwards will be bonus. Of course there are incentives for the winning teams and the runners up,” said Mpandare.
Mapeza yesterday had an opportunity to assess his players in the morning where they had a full training session before getting a practice match against CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium B Arena in the afternoon.
Team manager Wellington Mpandare yesterday said they had all the players in camp following the arrival of Tongai Magwendere from his base in Hwange.
“I think in terms of fitness we are okay because the players have been featuring for their teams in the league games which ended last week,” said Mpandare.
The technical team had to exclude the Motor Action and Dynamos players who are set to feature in the season-ending Mbada Diamonds Cup final at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
FC Platinum’s inspirational forward Charles Sibanda, Tapiwa Khumbuyani, Under-23 captain Qadr Amini and former Dynamos winger Bejamin Marere are part of the squad.
Marere was called in to replace Black Mambas’ midfielder Abbas Amidu who is in South Africa for trials at Ajax Cap Town.
Mapeza will be assisted by Highlanders’ coach Mkhupali Masuku during the tournament.
While hosts Tanzania are the team to beat since they are also the holders of the Cup, Zimbabwe will Zimbabwe
Squad
Goalkeepers – George Chigova (Gunners), Ariel Sibanda (Highlanders), Tapiwa Mafunga (Monomotapa)
Defenders – Tapiwa Khumbuyani (Caps United), Tinashe Masika (DC Academy), Qadr Amini (Gunners), Daniel Vheremu (FC Platinum), Honest Moyo (Highlanders)
Midfielders – Rahman Kutsanzira (Highlanders), Benjamin Marere (FC Platinum), James Jam (Blue Ribbon), Joel Ngodzo (FC Platinum), Cliff Sekete (Gunners), Nthokozo Tshuma (FC Platinum), Timire Mamvura (Dynamos), Erick Mudzingwa (Highlanders)
Strikers – Donald Ngoma (FC Platinum), Leonard Fiyado (Gunners), Charles Sibanda (FC Platinum), Tongai Magwendere (Hwange) Technical Team Head
Coach: Norman Mapeza
Assistant Coach: Mkhupali Masuku
Goalkeepers Coach: Richard Tswatswa
Team Doctor: TBA
Team Manager: Wellington Mpandare
Online Reporter