adminThe regional co-ordinator, Gibson Homela, confirmed that Ncube and Mwale both jobless, had been given immediate responsibility to take charge of the two provinces.
The move, he said, was part of a long term initiative to groom a large pool of players for the national teams.
He said the target group was players under the age of 23. Some who are older, Homela said, would be accommodated to give the teams balance and also to expose them if they have been overlooked in the past.
“They begin work on Monday with Philani Ncube to start at 10am at Eveline High School with Mwale also set to start in the Colliery.
“In two weeks time we hope the two teams will clash and provide national team coach Dieter Klauss Pagels an opportunity to have a look at more players. This process is on-going countrywide and it is part of the technical committee’s initiatives,” said the former national team coach.
Homela defended the choice of the two jobless coaches.
“We did not want anyone who is attached to a club to avoid biased selection,” said Homela.
He said former Zimbabwe Saints hitman Agent Sawu would assist Ncube.
The coaches have already started work and Ncube has called up players from three divisions.
Zimbabwe Saints’ Rashid Kanyeze and Bongani Ncube of Sizani and Zim Leopards’ Ashmore Ncube are the only players from Division Two.
From the established players those called up include Chicken Inn’s Liberty Chirava, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Danny Phiri and Guide Goddard.
Mahachi was one of the Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year finalists for the 2012 season.
The other player likely to be included is Marvellous Nakamba of AS Nancy of the French Ligue 1 who is on holiday in the country.
Notables in the Matabeleland North Select released to Homela are Leon Mwale who was once in the news for his irregular registration by Mpumalanga FC some years ago, Hwange Juniors’ Rod Mathuthu, a versatile player in the mould of Tito Paketh who can be played in a number of positions and Pritchard Mpelele Mwamba who was part of the Zimbabwe Under-15 squad for the Youth Olympics in 2010.
Bulawayo Select
Goalkeepers: Liberty Chirava (Chicken Inn), Archie Katsande (Highlanders), Takunda (Bantu Rovers), Rodrick Madzongwe (Emakhandeni Pirates)
Defenders: Guide Goddard (Chicken Inn), Zibusiso Sibanda (Quelaton), Derrick Chisale (Chicken Inn), Ashmore Ncube (Zim Leopards)
Midfielders: Danny Phiri (Chicken Inn), Nqobizitha Masuku (Bantu), Brighton Matinhira (Chicken Inn), Knox Mtizwa (Highlanders), Ryan Mabhena (New West City), Rashid Kanyeze (Zimbabwe Saints), Kudakwashe Mahachi (Chicken Inn), Marvellous Nakamba (AS Nancy, France)
Strikers: Ozias Zibande (Highlanders), Trish, Khalimani, Marshall Marime (Chicken Inn), Bongani Ncube (Sizani Fruit and Vegetable), Edmore (New West), Mgcini Sibanda (Highlanders), Thin Moyo (Bantu Rovers)
Matabeleland North
Goalkeepers: Tymon Mvula (Hwange FC), Leon Mwale (Weeks Academy), London Zulu (ZPC), Harmony Nare (Hwange FC)
Defenders: Maqhawe Mpofu, Stanford Chavingira (Hwange Juniors), Dalubuhle Nzimande, Sifelani Jubane (Lupane), Polite Moyo (Technosphere),
Midfielders: Shaine Phiri, Phuzile Mthethwa (Rufaro), Mbekezeli Sibanda (Tsholotsho), Muziwakhe Dlamini, Mandlenkosi Ndlovu (Nkayi), Gilbert Mwanza (Hwange FC), Munenge Chitondenzo (Binga)
Strikers: Pritchard Mpelele Mwamba, Rod Mathuthu, Phakamani Dube (Hwange), Wisdom Chuma, Mlimbo Muleya (Binga), Mpumelelo Nzimande (Mpumalanga FC).
Online Reporter