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Coach Norman Mapeza named a strong 23-man squad largely made up of foreign-based players with just three locally based infield stars.
FC Platinum duo of Joel Ngodzo and Daniel Vheremu as well as Caps United’s Tapuwa Khumbuyani are the only infield players with Soccer Star of the Year Washington Arubi and Gunners’ George Chigova also making it.
Zifa communications manager Nicky Dlamini-Moyo confirmed that the Warriors would assemble in Bulawayo.
“The players are expected to report at Zifa House in the capital this morning ready for the trip to Bulawayo,” said Dlamini-Moyo.
Ever since Mapeza was elevated to the top post in local football, players based outside the capital have found it hard to impress his technical team.
Players like Hwange’s Gerald Ndlovu, his teammate and 2011 Soccer Star of the Year finalist Nkosana Siwela and dependable Highlanders central defender Innocent Mapuranga surely deserve a call-up.
Most of the players who took part in the Tanzanian invitational tournament were dropped, a slap in the face for the developmental-side song sung when the team participated in the Cecafa tournament.
Zimbabwe has to beat Botswana in order to move up the Fifa/Coca-Cola World Rankings after a dramatic fall that saw them finish the year ranked at 98, a fall of 25 places following their dismal showing in the Cecafa Tusker Tournament held in Tanzania.
The match falls on the Fifa international friendly matches date.
Warriors
Goalkeepers: Tapuwa Kapini, Washington Arubi, George Chigova
Defenders: Tapiwa Khumbuyani, Gilbert Mapemba, Daniel Vheremu, Lincoln Zvasiya, Thomas Sweswe, Carrington Nyadombo, Zhaimu Jambo, Vusa Nyoni.
Midfielders: Denver Mukamba, Ovidy Karuru, Ramson Zhuwawo, Willard Katsande, Joel Ngodzo, Tinashe Nengomasha, Khama Billiart, Tafadzwa Rusike
Strikers: Knowledge Musona, Nyasha Mushekwi, Edward Sadomba, Cuthbert Malajila.
Online Reporter