adminZIMBABWE’S Young Warriors kicked off their preparations for Sunday’s Caf Under-23 Championship qualifier against Swaziland with Hwange’s Takabva Mawaya as the only goalkeeper in camp while there is little hope that the foreign-based players will come.
First choice goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva has not been able to join camp after his club Dynamos held on to him. Dynamos have also held on to defender Blessing Moyo.
Young Warriors’ coach Callisto Pasuwa said DeMbare have written to Zifa indicating that they were unable to release Mukuruva and Moyo as they want them for their league match against Tsholotsho on Monday.
The Glamour Boys are facing a fresh injury crisis in their camp and they had no choice but to recall the duo since they have two other players — Ronald Chitiyo and Carlos Rusere — on national team duty at the Cosafa tournament in South Africa.
FC Platinum were also not prepared to part with their forward Walter Musona and defender Kelvin Moyo as they travel to Nyamhunga on Saturday for an important clash with ZPC Kariba.
The Zvishavane side were only prepared to release two players in captain Wisdom Mutasa and Emmanuel Mandiranga, who immediately joined camp.
Mawaya joined camp on Tuesday.
Pasuwa had 17 players on his second day at training after only 14 turned up on Tuesday. The former DeMbare coach said he was now considering to summon How Mine’s Donovan Bernard from the Cosafa tournament or turning to Caps United’s Chris Mverechena to solve the goalkeeping problem.
“If it comes to the worst we will have to look for other goalkeepers. But usually it’s better to make changes in other departments because you need consistency in the defence.
“Ronald Pfumbidzai isn’t here, Chakoroma isn’t here, Blessing isn’t here and Tatenda Mukuruva is also not here. All the defence isn’t around, so we would need to start again. The match fitness is also worrying since most of the players aren’t getting enough game time at their clubs,” said Pasuwa.
The Young Warriors however are expecting Pfumbidzai to join them on his arrival from a two-week trial stint in Denmark tomorrow. The Young Warriors technical team had to call up Flame Lily leftback Edwin Madhananga as cover for the defence.There were still hopes for England-based Macauley Bonne but his availability was subject to Zifa availing air tickets for his trip back home. Netherlands-based Marvelous Nakamba has been ruled out because of club commitments.
Young Warriors Squad
Tatenda Mukuruva (Dynamos), Takabva Mawaya (Hwange), Blessing Moyo (Dynamos), Edwin Madhanhanga (Flame Lily), Ronald Pfumbidzai (Caps United), Lawrence Mhlanga (Chicken Inn), Munyaradzi Diro-Nyenye (Harare City), Teenage Hadebe (Highlanders), Liberty Chakoroma (Buffaloes), Gerald Takwana (Tsholotsho), Wisdom Mutasa (FC Platinum), Raphael Kutinyu (Chicken Inn), Nqobizitha Masuku (Highlanders), Malvin Gaki (Triangle), Mqcini Sibanda (How Mine), Jimmy Kanono (Whawha), Thomas Chideu (Highlanders), Tino Kadewere (Harare City), Emmanuel Mandiranga (FC Platinum) Kuda Mahachi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Macauley Bonne (Colchester United)-Sportszone.
Online Reporter