Warriors Trickle In For Camp
Warriors’ foreign based players have already started arriving for camp in drips and drabs ahead of the 2021 AFCON penultimate round qualifier against Botswana in Francistown on Thursday.
The Zambia-based contingent, who include Tafadzwa Rusike, Talbert Shumba and Takudzwa Chimwemwe, were the first foreign based players to arrive on Friday joining Highlanders goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda who was already in camp since last week.
SuperSport United duo of Kuda Mahachi and Evans Rusike were the only South Africa-based Warriors to have arrived in camp by yesterday.
Other South Africa based players who include, Terrence Dzvukamanja, Butholezwe Ncube and Ovidy Karuru are expected to arrive today (Monday) alongside Belgian based skipper Knowledge Musona who has hit top form after scoring in the past two consecutive league games for KAS Eupen.
US-based goalkeeper Tatenda Mkuruva and South Africa dou of Knox Mutizwa and Divine Lunga were the latest withdrawals from the squad after suffering injuries. They join the list of Khama Billiat, Marvelous Nakamba, Tendayi Darikwa, Admiral Muskwe and David Moyo who also failed to make it due to injury and Covid-19 restrictions.
However, there is a ray of hope that the French-based duo of Tino Kadewere and Marshall Munetsi could as well make it after the French league gave a waiver for players to represent their national teams for the upcoming FIFA international calendar.
On Saturday the French government gave a 7-day quarantine exemption to international players traveling for national duty only if they follow tough safety precaution guide lines on their travel.
If they managed to travel, Kadewere and Munetsi will be a big boost for coach Loga who is expected to have only a day of training with the rest of the squad before flying to Botswana on Wednesday.
Turkey based Alec Mudimu and Teenage Hadebe are expected to be the last players to arrive in camp together with Spain-based goalkeeper Martin Mapisa who are scheduled for tomorrow.
Warriors are second in group H with five points from four matches. If they beat Botswana and Zambia fail to beat Algeria on Thursday, Zimbabwe will qualify for the Afcon qualifiers for the third time in a row.
Here is the latest 23-man Warriors Squad for Botswana :
Goalkeepers
Talbert Shumba, Martin Mapisa, Ariel Sibanda.
Defenders
Jimmy Dzingai, Teenage Hadebe, Alec Mudimu, Tendai Jirira, Victor Kamhuka, Romario Matova, Gilroy Chimwemwe
Midfielders
Thabani Kamusoko, Butholezwe Ncube, Nyasha Munetsi, Ovidy Karuru, Perfect Chikwende, Last Jesi, Tafadzwa Rusike, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Tanaka Chinyahara, Knowledge Musona
Strikers
Terrence Dzvukamanja, Evans Rusike, Tinotenda Kadewere.
