Warriors upbeat

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS’ goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya was axed from the Warriors squad that left for the first leg of the first round 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania tomorrow.
Only 19 players were in camp yesterday following the withdrawal of Sydney Linyama, Kingstone Nkatha, Simba Sithole and Willard Katsande through injury.

With three goalkeepers in the squad, it was only logical to drop one of them and the axe fell on Diya.
The preferred hands for the first step towards making it for the continental competition are Pretoria University’s Washington Arubi and George Chigova of Dynamos.

A 27-member delegation made up of 18 players following the dropping of Diya, a technical department of eight men and head of delegation Piraishe Mabhena left Harare International Airport just after lunch via Ethiopia and were expected to arrive in Dar es Salaam at 1AM.

There was no seat for assistant coach Mkhuphali Masuku who was “excused” from camp.
Head coach Ian Gorowa leads a technical team that has two goalkeepers’ coaches Richard Tswatswa and Gift Muzadzi, assistant coach Callisto Pasuwa, team manager Sharif Mussa, Piyo Mhizha (kit manager), team doctor Nick Munyonga and Farai Muguwe (physiotherapist).

Speaking before their departure at the Harare International Airport, Mussa said everyone was raring to go.
“The good thing is that the players understand each other very well having played together at the Chan tournament in January. They are aware of what is expected of them and they are all raring to go.

“I think what further drives them is that they are a group of young players who are hungry to compete at the continental showpiece and after the experience that they got at Chan, they would want to sail through and book a ticket at the Afcon finals. A positive result in Tanzania will be good for us and that is what we are gunning for,” Mussa said.

Locally based players dominate the Warriors squad which only has three South Africa-based players, Arubi, strikers Tendai Ndoro of Mpumalanga Black Aces and Cuthbert Malajila who won the Absa Premiership title with Mamelodi Sundowns.

The core of the team played at the Chan tournament, held in South Africa at the beginning of the year.
Chigova was the preferred goalkeeper at the month-long competition that saw the Warriors going all the way to the semi-finals.

From the five defenders that travelled to Tanzania, only Ronald Pfumbidzai was not in the Chan squad. Expectations are high that there should be high level of understanding in the defence line that has captain Partson Jaure, Hardlife Zvirekwi, Milton Ncube and Eric Chipeta as they played virtually all the games at Chan.

Jaure and Chipeta will partner at central defence while Ncube and Zvirekwi will be assigned on the wingbacks.
Chances are high that Gorowa will field two defensive midfielders in the form of Danny “Deco” Phiri and Stephen Alimenda so that they protect the defence line as well as thwart Tanzania’s efforts to control the midfield.

The coaches might decide to have either Malajila or Ndoro play on the right side of midfield, with Kuda Mahachi on the left while Kuda Musharu may be deployed as a lone striker.

Lucky Warrior Moyo who has not been a regular at his Highlanders club but is a favourite of Gorowa may also start behind the lone striker.

Gorowa might decide to have Malajila coming from the bench because of his ability to change the game just like he has been doing at Mamelodi Sundowns.

Warriors Squad
Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Pretoria University, South Africa), George Chigova (Dynamos)
Defenders: Hardlife Zvirekwi, Ronald Pfumbidzai (both Caps United), Partson Jaure (Dynamos), Milton Ncube (Highlanders), Eric Chipeta (Hwange)
Midfielders: Danny Phiri (Chicken Inn), Stephen Alimenda (Dynamos), Marshal Mudewe (FC Platinum), Talent Chawapiwa (Harare City), Kudakwashe Mahachi, Peter Moyo (both Highlanders), Pasca Manhanga (Triangle), Wonder Kapinda (Black Rhinos)
Strikers: Kuda Musharu (How Mine), Cuthbert Malajila (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Tendai Ndoro (Mpumalanga Black Aces, South Africa)

Technical department: Ian Gorowa (head coach), Callisto Pasuwa (assistant coach), Richard Tswatswa (goalkeepers’ coach), Gift Muzadzi (goalkeepers’ coach), Sharif Mussa (manager), Piyo Mhizha (kit manager), Nick Munyonga (doctor), Farai Muguwe (physiotherapist)
Head of delegation: Piraishe Mabhena