adminA loss at home would see the boys bowing out of the competition since it is a knockout tournament at this stage.
The Warriors have been boosted by news that Ovidy Karuru and Khama Billiat have been cleared of any wrong doing in the on-going Asiagate saga investigations and are now eligible for selection to the national team.
Zifa spokesperson Nikky Moyo-Dhlamini confirmed yesterday that the secretariat was busy working on getting clearance for foreign-based players. She said they wanted to ensure foreign- based players were available for next month’s encounter.
Moyo-Dhlamini said the association was aware that most of the foreign-based players will be off-season when the match is played but said despite that they needed to be cleared by their clubs.
“A majority of the players will be on off-season and most probably many of them will be here for the season break. We need to get clearances from their clubs for them to play for the Warriors.
“Some of the matches that will be played during the off-season will not be on the Fifa calendar so it is imperative that we talk to their clubs now,” said Moyo-Dhlamini.
She said the availability of foreign-based players will enable coaches to field a strong team.
“We have to win that game and as administration we will do our best to get the players on the field,” she added.
Zimbabwe are set to rely on players based in Europe and South Africa.
Gumbo is expected to call up the likes of Tapuwa Kapini, Cuthbert Malajila, Carrington Nyadombo, Esrom Nyandoro, Billiat, Noel Kaseke, Onisimo Bhasera, Willard Katsande, Knowledge Musona, Tinashe Nengomasha, Abbas Amidu, Vusa Nyoni who could be fused into a strong side with on-form locals like Nelson Mazivisa, Takesure Chinyama and Tafadzwa Dube.
Botswana-based Arnold Chaka, the star in the losing cause in Burundi, Mandlenkosi Sibanda who earned his first cap in the Central African jungle could be the other call-up as well as fringe players Qadr Amin, Charles Sibanda and Ali Sadiki who all have been impressive for the platinum miners in the Castle Lager Premiership.
Gumbo was appointed acting coach following Zifa’s suspension of Norman Mapeza on allegations of being involved in the Asiagate scandal.
Zifa deserve a pat on the back for their pro-active stance of getting clearances for players well in advance.
Moyo-Dhlamini said the players will probably get into camp on 25 May.
“We are still to finalise and we need feedback from a number of people. There are indications though that the team could go into camp on Africa Day,” said the Zifa spokesperson.
This would leave the coaches with a full week to assess players.
Gumbo’s biggest worry would probably be the fitness of overseas players who will be on off-season break.
Bongani Ndlovu