adminagainst South Africa at Rufaro on Sunday.
In a week in which the domestic game has been seized with the historic visit to the country by Fifa president Sepp Blatter and the on-going Cosafa Women’s Championships, Friday Phiri’s charges quietly resumed their preparations on Monday and have been training at the National Sports Stadium.
The Young Warriors need to overturn a 2-0 deficit if they are to secure the Zone VI ticket to the All-Africa Games in Mozambique in September.
Yesterday the Young Warriors were still missing some of their key players – striker Simba Sithole and midfielder Archieford Gutu.
Gutu is expected to arrive in the country today from South Africa where he has been trying his luck at former South African champions SuperSport United.
Chief striker Sithole, who recently joined Mamelodi Sundowns, remains doubtful for the weekend’s game. England-based Trevor Mutero was also conspicuous by his absence as he is understood to be at Stoke City for trials and will not be available for selection.
Young Warriors team manager Wellington Mpandare said despite missing some of the key players their preparations are progressing well with the bulk of the squad reporting for camp.
“Preparations are going on well. We have roped in some new players into the team. We are geared up for the game.
“We are expecting Archieford tomorrow, Simba -we have been trying to communicate with him but we can’t get hold of him.
“Misheck Mburayi did not report for camp but he was said to be in Harare,” said Mpandare.
Mpandare said they would try to ensure that Gutu and Sithole make it for the game arguing that the Young Warriors need to retain their regular players in order to keep their shape.
“The two players we desperately need are Simba and Gutu, we need their experience but we have got enough depth.
“We normally call in three strikers but this time we have called in six strikers and we have enough cover,” said Mpandare.
One of the new faces in the squad is former Highlanders and Under-17 forward Ntokozo Tshuma who now plies his trade in the United States.
The Under-23 team manager admitted that the absence of Gutu in the first leg affected the team and said they are working with his manager, Calvin Nyazema to try and bring back the player.
“In South Africa we struggled without him and we are doing everything in our power to ensure that he comes.
“We have been in touch with Calvin Nyazema and he has promised that he will make sure the he (Gutu) makes it for the game,” said Mpandare.
The Young Warriors who started their campaign of qualifying for the All-Africa Games on a good note made life difficult for themselves by failing to at least score in Johannesburg.
Squad
Goalkeepers
Ariel Sibanda, Liberty Chirava, Francis Nico.
Defenders
Hardlife Mavundi, Lincoln Zvasiya, Qadr Amini, Obey Mwerahari, Duncan Kalongonda, Charles Mutero, Blessing Chimwamuchere, Knowledge Machona, Morris Kadzola.
Midfielders
Joel Ngodzo, Abbas Amidu, Wellington Kamudyariwa, Timire Mamvura, Ngonidzashe Maviri, Russell Madamombe.
Strikers
Mathew Rusike, Patrick Kumbula, William Manondo, Donald Ngoma, Ntokozo Tshuma.
Online Reporter