Hwange will finalise their squad for the Caf Confederation Cup next year today before Thursday’s deadline for the registration of players.
Technical manager Tennant Chilumba, who scooped the 2011 Castle Lager Premiership $3 500 Coach of the Year Award, yesterday said he will be dropping six players for the squad, but could not be drawn to reveal the names of those that face the axe.
Chilumba said they would be signing two Zifa Northern Region Division One side DSTV Rangers players, striker Allan Takariswa and midfielder Kudakwashe Chipere. He also said his executive was talking to Shabanie Mine for the services of midfielder Tawanda Mareya.
“By the end of the day today (yesterday), we will be selecting the final squad that is why I am rushing back to Hwange and we will be signing two players from DSTV Division One side from Harare.
“We have been training since the season ended and we played our last game yesterday (Saturday) and lost 1-0 to Platinum and they will be coming to Hwange for another friendly match. We will be going for a break but then we still need to play more games before the Confederation Cup,” Chilumba said. He said after the break, they will play Power Dynamos and Red Arrows of Zambia mid-next month in friendly matches as they step up their preparations for the debut African Safari. “We will play Power Dynamos and Red Arrows in mid-January and those friendly matches have been confirmed, but that other tournament in South Africa has been cancelled. Six of my players will not be part of the squad of 30 players for the Confederation Cup but I cannot give you their names for now,” Chilumba said. The Zambian national, who also had been eyeing Highlanders’ attacking midfielder Rahman Kutsanzira and Chicken Inn striker Daniel Zokoto to beef up his squad said it was now too late. “I don’t think we can make it as of now. It’s already too late but we are not only making preparations for the Confederation Cup but for the 2012 season as well,” Chilumba said. The coach is also eyeing relegated Zimbabwe Saints’ striker Evans Rusike for the 2012 season. Hwange, who ended the season on position four and scooped the $10 000 Most Disciplined Team Castle Lager Premiership Award, will be registering lanky midfielder Farai Vimisayi, who was on loan to Dynamos. Chipangano also has in their ranks one of the 11 top footballer’s finalists Nkosana “Santsho” Siwela, veteran Gilbert Zulu and young Fransisco Zvikumbawire. They have trusted hands in goalkeepers Timothy Sibanda and Petros Mhari and defender Rodwell Chinyengetere. The other players that could also make it to the squad are Malvern Longwe, Andrew Tshuma, Aaron Katebe and captain Gerald Ndlovu.
