adminTanzania on Friday.
The 20-member squad, which includes new faces like Gunners’ sensational forward Leonard Fiyado, Blue Ribbon midfielder James Jam, Tinashe Masika of DC Academy and Highlanders’ Honest
Moyo, is expected to begin camp in Harare today ahead of their departure on Friday.
Team manager Wellington Mpandare yesterday said the technical team came up with this squad with purposes of development and with the Warriors in mind.
Under-23 goalkeepers Ariel Sibanda, George Chigova and Monomotapa’s Tapiwa Mafunga have received the call in the absence of experienced goalkeepers like Motor Action’s Marlon Jani or Washington Arubi.
The technical team has had to exclude the Mighty Bulls and Dynamos players who are set to feature in the season-ending Mbada Diamonds Cup final at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
FC Platinum’s inspirational forward Charles Sibanda, Tapiwa Khumbuyani, Under-23 captain Qadr Amini and Warriors’ regular central defender Daniel Veremu have been included in the squad.
Norman Mapeza will be in charge of the team and will be assisted by Highlanders’ coach Mkhupali Masuku during the tournament.
“Of course, when going for any tournament you look forward to go all the way and win it but in this case people shouldn’t be concerned much about the results because this is more of a development side,” said Mpandare.
“If you look at it most of the players are in the Under-23 set up and there are also others who have played in the senior team before.
“It’s an opportunity for the coach to look at other players and probably find options to address some of the problem areas in the national team and I think it could have even be better if the Under-20
players were there, if they were not going to Botswana.
“It’s also unfortunate that Dynamos and Motor Action players could not be considered for this event because they are playing in the Mbada Diamonds Cup final on Sunday,” said Mpandare.
Zimbabwe are in Group A together with hosts Tanzania, Rwanda and Djibouti. The Warriors will open their campaign against Djibouti on Sunday and then meet Rwanda the next day in Dar es Salaam.
Rwanda have a new tactician in Serbian Sredjovic Milutin ‘Micho’ who joined them recently from Sudan where he coached Edward Sadomba’s club Al Hilal.
There are three groups at the tournament with the top two teams from each pool and the overall best two runners-up qualifying for the quarterfinals on December 5-6.
Group B comprises record holders Uganda who have 11 cups to their credit, Burundi, zanzibar and Somalia while Sudan, Malawi, Kenya and Ethiopia will fight it out in Group C. The Warriors were last invited for the 33rd edition that was held in Nairobi but crashed out in the quarter-finals.
Zimbabwe managed a single victory, defeating Somalia 2-0 with Tapiwa Mangezi and Guthrie Zhokinyi on target, and had a goalless draw with Eritrea.
Zimbabwe then lost 1-0 to Rwanda who went on to reach the final but lost to Uganda who were crowned champions.
The tournament received approximately US$ 450,000 sponsorship from Serengeti Breweries Limited which will cover the fees of the tournament such as the air tickets of all delegates, accommodation and prize money.
Zimbabwe Squad
Goalkeepers – George Chigova (Gunners), Ariel Sibanda (Highlanders), Tapiwa Mafunga (Monomotapa)
Defenders – Tapiwa Khumbuyani (CAPS United), Tinashe Masika (DC Academy), Qadr Amini (Gunners), Daniel Veremu (FC Platinum), Honest Moyo (Highlanders)
Midfielders – Rahman Kutsanzira (Highlanders), Abbas Amidu (Black Mambas), James Jam (Blue Ribbon), Joel Ngodzo (FC Platinum), Cliff Sekete (Gunners), Nthokozo Tshuma (FC Platinum), Timire Mamvura (Dynamos), Erick Mudzingwa (Highlanders)
Strikers – Donald Ngoma (FC Platinum), Leonard Fiyado (Gunners), Charles Sibanda (FC Platinum), Tongai Magwendere (Hwange)
Technical Team
Head Coach: Norman Mapeza
Assistant Coach: Mkhupali Masuku
Goalkeepers’ Coach: Richard Tswatswa
Team Doctor: TBA
Team Manager: Wellington Mpandare
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