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Eddie Chikamhi-Senior Sports Reporter
THE Warriors to set base in South Africa next week in preparation for the low-key Limpopo Derby FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifier against South Africa.
The penultimate Group G match has since been reduced to a dead rubber, following Zimbabwe’s disappointing exit from the competition, with two rounds of matches, still to be played.
The Warriors date Bafana Bafana at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg next Thursday.
Kick-off is 9pm.
They will then welcome Ethiopia, three days later, at the National Sports Stadium.
Warriors coach, Norman Mapeza, is expected to announce his squad for the match today.
It will be without regulars like skipper Knowledge Musona, Teenage Hadebe, Marshall Munetsi, Tino Kadewere, Alec Mudimu and Spain-based goalkeeper Martin Mapisa.
Some of the local based players, who impressed in the Chibuku Super Cup, will be considered.
One name which has been featuring among fans is Ngezi Platinum forward, Denver Mukamba, who has been enjoying a new lease of life, in Mhondoro.
The home-based players, and members of the interim technical team which also includes Highlanders’ Mandla Mpofu and Taurayi Mangwiro, will report to camp soon after the league games, on Sunday.
Warriors manager, Wellington Mpandare, yesterday said the process has been completed after they reached out to both local, and foreign-based, players.
The Warriors will set base in South Africa since a good number of the players are based in that country.
“The squad is expected to be announced tomorrow (today),” said Mpandare.
“The local players will assemble this Sunday and then depart for South Africa the following day.
“As for the overseas-based players, we have made arrangements for them to fly directly to South Africa.
“It only makes sense because some of our players are based in that country.
“So, we expect to begin the camp on Monday and have more training days.”
Kaizer Chiefs forward, Khama Billiat, is expected to lead the team in the absence of Musona, who has been ruled out because of a hamstring problem.
The 31-year-old forward has missed three games for his Saudi Arabian club, Al Tai.
He picked up the knock while training with his teammates two weeks ago.
France-based utility man, Marshall Munetsi, is also yet to recover from a hamstring injury he suffered during the recent World Cup qualifier against Ghana.
Another defender, Hadebe, was also ruled out after picking up an ankle knock while in action for his Major League Soccer side, Houston Dynamo, recently.
The Warriors defender had started 17 games and was substituted for the first time, when Houston beat Seattle Sounders 2-1, about three weeks ago.
Defender Alec Mudimu, who is sitting on yellow cards, is not be available for the next match, due to suspension.
The defender, however, will return for the final home game against Ethiopia.
This would mean the Warriors interim coach will need to work on new defensive pairings, for the last two World Cup games.
Zimbabwe sit bottom of Group G, with just one point, from four starts.
South Africa are desperate for the points to keep their World Cup dream on course. They top the group with 10 points, one ahead of Ghana, going into the qualifying home stretch.
South Africa coach, Hugo Broos, has since named his final 24-men squad for the matches against Zimbabwe and Ghana.
They welcomed back in-form Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Keagan Dolly.
Broos has also recalled Al Ahly forward Percy Tau.
The forward was excused from the last match against Ethiopia as he completed his move to the Egyptian giants.
The Belgian gaffer has retained most of the players, who have served him well so far in this campaign, with three goalkeepers, captain Ronwen Williams, Veli Mothwa and Bruce Bvuma, being retained in the 24-man squad.
Also making the final cut is imposing Portugal-based defender Thibang Phete, who plays for Belenenses.
Online Reporter