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NewsDay

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Green light for Khama

Sport
Warriors winger Khama Billiat has been certified fit ahead of the opening Group G World Cup qualifier match against Guinea at the National Stadium on Sunday. The Ajax Cape Town midfielder had been a major doubt for the match with an ankle problem. In fact, Billiat had been ruled out of the match on Monday, […]

Warriors winger Khama Billiat has been certified fit ahead of the opening Group G World Cup qualifier match against Guinea at the National Stadium on Sunday.

The Ajax Cape Town midfielder had been a major doubt for the match with an ankle problem. In fact, Billiat had been ruled out of the match on Monday, before he was allowed to train the following day.

Warriors coach Rahman Gumbo yesterday said the team doctors have certified him fit and he will be up for selection.

“He has fully recovered and will fight for his position in the team. It’s a good development because he adds value to the team,” said Gumbo. The Warriors played a friendly match against Caps United at the National Sports Stadium B Arena yesterday, and Billiat played the entire second half. The match finished 2-2.

Gumbo said: “You saw how he was playing, he has quality and pace. He contributes a lot to the team. He is an asset.”

However, France based star Ovidy Karuru for the second day running, watched the session from the sidelines with a shoulder problem. But Gumbo said the injury is nothing serious.

From the team’s session yesterday, it is slowly becoming apparent who is going to make the final squad.

Gumbo said he will trim his squad today. The coach played what looked like a “B” team in the first half of the match, which comprised newcomers before changing the whole team at halftime.

Captain Tapiwa Kapini looks set to keep his position between the sticks while former captain Esrom Nyandoro and Carrington Nyadombo could be deployed at the heart of defence.

Oscar Machapa looks assured of the right back position, and so is Onismor Bhasera at the left-back position.

Willard Katsande played as the deep-lying midfielder yesterday and was assisted by Archford Gutu who played a creative role.

On the wings, Gumbo might go for pace with Denver Mukamba and Billiat almost assured of those places.

Dynamos striker Takesure Chinyama is set to lead the attack with Knowledge Musona playing the supporting act.

“The team is shaping up. We are coming up with a probable line-up” said Gumbo after the friendly match. “We are playing a physically big opposition so we want to play to our advantage. We want to capitalise on pace.”

Gumbo also added his voice to calls by the players to have the match moved from the National Sports Stadium to Rufaro Stadium.