Warriors troop into camp for Swazi tie

Ngqwele Dube Sports Correspondent
THE senior men’s national soccer team troops into camp today as they begin preparations for the 2017 Orange Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Swaziland on Friday and Monday next week. Warriors team manager Sharif Mussa said they expected all players to be in camp by end of day tomorrow to ensure they cover a lot of ground in the short time they have to prepare for the game.

“We have about three to four days of training time and I think the coach will have to effectively utilise those days because that is the only time we have. We will have to cover a lot of ground in those days and ensure we are ready for the game. Depending on the travel arrangements every player should be in camp by Monday (tomorrow) afternoon,” said Mussa.

He said besides England-based trio of Macauley Bonne, Brendon Galloway and Tendayi Darikwa they expected the rest of the called up players to arrive for camp.

“Please note that 27 players have been called into camp, unfortunately Brendon Galloway and Tendayi Darikwa are unable to participate in these back to back clashes. Galloway has been selected for the England Under-21 but should he decide otherwise and opt to play for our senior team in future, the door is still open for him.

Darikwa was very keen to play for Zimbabwe but at the moment he has some pressing family issues to attend.

Bonne has been released by his team and is willing to participate but unfortunately he has some personal issues to solve. Hopefully, he will finish in time and join the training camp. We will advise the public about his availability during the course of the week,” said Mussa in a statement released on Friday.

Zimbabwe face Swaziland on Good Friday in Mbabane and in Harare on Easter Monday for the crucial legs with both teams sitting on four points and the matches can decide who will ultimately take the top spot.

Meanwhile, Mussa has asked the nation and media in particular to put full attention on the games and put the recent match fixing scandal aside.

“In this regard it is our humble request to members of the media and the nation at large that you help us to fully focus on the job at hand which will begin in Mbabane and at the National Sports Stadium. It is our plea to all members of the media, other valued stakeholders and football fans at large that despite these games between Warriors and Swaziland coming against the background of the ongoing match fixing allegations and subsequently the investigations by Zifa and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) of a plot to fix Zimbabwe’s games, the national team camp should be left to go ahead without undue distractions.”

oalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Pretoria University) Tatenda Mukuruva (Dynamos), Donovan Bernard How Mine)

Defenders: Partson Jaure (Pretoria University, SA), Eric Chipeta (Chippa United), Costa Nhamoinesu (Sparta Prague, Czech Republic), Lawrence Mhlanga (Chicken Inn), Hardlife Zvirekwi (CAPS United), Bruce Kangwa (Highlanders), Onismor Bhasera (Bidvest Wits) Elisha Muroiwa (Dynamos).

Midfielders: Willard Katsande (Kaizer Chiefs, SA), Marvellous Nakamba (Vitesse Arnhem), Ronald Chitiyo (Harare City), Danny Phiri, Tafadzwa Kutinyu (Chicken Inn), Marshall Mudehwe (FC Platinum) Kuda Mahachi (Golden Arrows), Khama Billiat (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Forwards: Knowledge Musona (KV Oostende), Cuthbert Malajila (Mamelodi Sundowns), Evans Rusike (Maritzburg United), Matthew Rusike (Helsingborg, Sweden), Nyasha Mushekwi (Dalian Yifang).