adminThe Zebras are preparing for the Orange Caf Africa Cup of Nations which starts on 21 January in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Zifa communications manager Nicholette Moyo-Dhlamini said the team would go into camp thereafter.
“The team will be announced on 3 January and they will start their training and camp on the same day. The coach is likely to select players who are locally based,” she said.
The Warriors will have about three days to prepare as they will leave the country on 6 December for Botswana.
Moyo-Dhlamini said there was a possibility that the team would camp in Bulawayo and if they do they would travel by road.
“The game is on 7 January and there is a possibility that they could be camping in Bulawayo. If they do then they will travel by road,” she said.
There are no direct flights from Bulawayo to Botswana.
Asked to comment on the short period to prepare for the game, team Moyo- Dlamini said she was confident the team would be ready for the game.
“The South African-based players league is still underway and there are players who were recently in the Cecafa tournament. I do not think the short period to prepare will affect them that much,” she said.
The match was initially scheduled for Barbourfields Stadium but had to be moved to Botswana although no explanation was given.
Several locally based players were selected for the Cecafa Tournament in Tanzania early this month and are likely to find favour with coach Norman Mapeza.
Some of the players who were in the team include Daniel Vheremu, Cliff Sekete, Eric Mudzingwa, Arial Sibanda, Joel Ngodzo, Abbas Amidu, Honest Moyo, Donald Ngoma and Tapiwa Khumbuyani.
The Warriors team is likely to play Botswana coach Stanley Tshosane’s squad that will take part in the Orange Caf Championship.
Botswana are taking their qualification and participation in the tournament seriously as they have scheduled a number of camps before the tournament kicks off.
Some of the players that are expected in the Botswana side include Modiri Marumo, Jerome Ramatlhakwana, Dipsy Selolwane, Joel Mogorosi, Mogogi Gabonamong and Phenyo Mongala. Tshosane selected 25 players who were in camp in Rustenburg in South Africa earlier on as part of their preparation for the Afcon.
Online Reporter