The Warriors are expected to troop into camp today ahead of Wednesday’s international friendly match against Zambia at Rufaro Stadium.
The game kicks off at 1900hrs. Warriors manager Sharif Mussa said they will decide today if they would have an afternoon training session. “We are expecting everybody by lunch and then we will decide from there if we will train. The players will obviously be tired because of travelling, so we will see once they arrive.
“So far, no player has indicated they may not come save for Knowledge Musona who has had to make the trip from South Africa to Germany. I am not ruling him out as yet, but things might be clearer early tomorrow (today),” Mussa said yesterday.
Musona joined German Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim last week on a five-year deal and the club was keen to have him ahead of the start of the new season, which began yesterday.
But under Fifa rules, they are obliged to release him two days before the match.
Should Musona fail to make it, then all eyes will be on red-hot Al Hilal striker Edward Sadomba, who has scored three goals in the last Caf Orange Champions League group stage matches.
Coach Norman Mapeza has called in his strongest squad with most of players likely to feature in the crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Liberia on September 4 at Rufaro.
The Warriors lie in third place in Group A with five points after a single win, two draws and a loss against Mali.
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After Liberia they face Cape Verde Islands in the last qualifier in October where a win — coupled by a loss by Mali against Liberia — can guarantee Zimbabwe a place in the 2012 finals.
This excludes the suspended pair of Thomas Sweswe and Nyasha Mushekwi, while club hunting Justice Majabvi — who started trials at Kaizer Chiefs, last week — has also not been called up.
Eight players from the local league have made it into Mapeza’s team — the FC Platinum quartet of Daniel Vheremu, Charles Sibanda, Lincoln Zvasiya and Benjamin Marere.
Highlanders’ Erick Mudzingwa, Gunners left-back Qadr Amin, Blue Ribbon’s Tapiwa Khumbuyani and Dynamos goalkeeper Washington Arubi are also part of the team. Ovidy Karuru, the man-of-the-match against Mali in the last home Afcon qualifier, Quincy Antipas, who plays in Denmark and the pair of Ajax Cape Town stars Khama Billiat and Willard Katsande are also expected in.
Simba Sithole, who recently moved to Mamelodi Sundowns and Gilbert Mapemba who also completed a move to Moroka Swallows last week, are also expected in the morning flight from SA.
Faz President Kalusha Bwalya told the media last week on the friendly: “This FIFA friendly date is a necessary practice game for our national team to prepare for the forthcoming Afcon qualifiers. This is the last opportunity for a preparation match before the Comoros away game, before we even start to think about Libya at home.
“If one looks at the friendly match Zambia played against Swaziland before the Mozambique away game, coach (Dario) Bonetti was able to fine-tune and find the rhythm that was necessary to take into the game to succeed in with a 0-2 win. We are hoping the technical bench will use the Zimbabwe match to once again set the tone for the forthcoming 2012 Afcon game in September.” It now points to a game that will be less than a friendly on Wednesday night.
Warriors squad Goalkeepers: T Kapini, W Arubi Defenders: M Mwanjali, D Vheremu, Q Amin, G Mapemba, T Khumbuyani, L Zvasiya, V Nyoni Midfielders: T Nengomasha, Q Antipas, W Katsande, K Billiat, O Karuru, C Sibanda, E Mudzingwa, B Marere Strikers: K Musona, E Sadomba, S Sithole
