Warriors to assemble in Bulawayo

Lovemore Dube

THE Warriors will start assembling in Bulawayo on Sunday ahead of the four-nation tournament to be hosted by Botswana.

Zifa Media confirmed on Wednesday that the Warriors would set camp in the City of Kings.
It’s been over a decade since the Warriors were in Bulawayo. What has even made things worse is that the stadium failed to make the grade for Fifa and Caf-sanctioned matches.

“The Warriors will set camp in Bulawayo. We expect the boys to start trickling in on Sunday, soon after their weekend matches. All is set, and we look forward to a good camp ahead of their departure,” said Zifa Media.

The national association said the Warriors would leave for Botswana on Thursday.
“We expect the three-day camp to end on Thursday before the Warriors travel to Francistown by road for the four-team tournament,” Zifa Media said.

They disclosed that the national team coach, Marian Marinica, was already in Bulawayo.
He was on the terraces on Wednesday when Highlanders were held to 0-0 draw by visiting MWOS in a Castle Lager tie at Barbourfields Stadium.

The national team coach could not speak to the media because he needed clearance from the national association.

Marinica was in the company of Esrom Nyandoro, a Zimbabwe and South Africa football legend and Warriors’ match analyst James Makoni.

“It’s good to be here” is all that Nyandoro could say as the two Premiership sides readied to battle it out.
Zifa Southern Region chairman Chris Mtungwazi is happy that the team will be in their region.

“We are obviously excited that our biggest football team, the face of Zimbabwe soccer to the world, will be camping here. It’s an honour worth embracing in the soccer and general community. It’s not always that the Warriors will be in our city.

“It’s a challenge for everyone to stand up and recognise their visit. We are praying that there will be fans travelling as day trippers for the tournament in Botswana next week to support the boys in this tournament.

“As Zifa Southern Region, we will render the national team and the association all the support they need,” said Mtungwazi.

He said they will engage the supporters’ association members, who include Lynne Green to see how best fans can travel to watch and cheer the Warriors at the tournament.

“Botswana is just 180km away, just in three hours, the fans will have reached the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium to watch their team. I am hopeful we will have good numbers traveling,” said Mtungwazi.

Squad to play in a 4-nations tournament from 28 to 31 March against hosts Botswana, Malawi and Zambia.

Goalkeepers
Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi), Future Sibanda (ZPC Kariba), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford)
Defenders
Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders), Emmanuel Jalai (Durban City), Corbin Mthunzi ((Ipswich Town), Munashe Garan’anga (Hibernian), Gerald Takwara (Al Itihad Misurata), Isheanesu Mauchi (Chippa United), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinatti), Shane Maroodza (Sarajevo), Midfielders
Marvelous Nakamba (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonah Fabisch (FC Ezgerbirge Aue), Panashe Makwiramiti (Haveford West), Prosper Padera (SJK Seinajoki), Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen)
Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday)
Forwards
Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Knowledge Musona (Scottland), Prince Dube (Young Africans), Daniel Msendami (Orlando Pirates), Macaulley Bonne (Billericay), Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya (Amazulu)