THE Warriors beefed up their strike force last night with the inclusion of Edward Sadomba, Kingston Nkatha and Cuthbert Malajila after the trio was cleared of match-fixing allegations by the Independent Ethics Committee.
REPORT BY KEVIN MAPASURE SENIOR SPORTS REPORTER
Zimbabwe, with a 3-1 lead, face Angola in the second leg of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Luanda next Sunday.
This brings the total number of players to start camp on Monday to 30 after defender Lincoln Zvasiya and two goalkeepers Energy Murambadoro and Ephraim Mazarura were also called up following their clearance.
Justice Majabvi, who now plays in Vietnam, was cleared, but left out.
Warriors manager Nyika Chifamba said last night: “We have written to their clubs and we hope they will be able to report for camp on Monday. We will have 30 players in camp and we will name the final 18 before departure.”
The move has raised suspicion, though, that this partial release of the Asiagate report has been made for the Warriors’ convenience.
Zifa have been under pressure to release the Asiagate report of which they have many stories including telling the reporters that the final document was at the printers last week.
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Yesterday, Zifa president Cuthbert Dube said he expected the document to be ready by Thursday next week yet they made a partial release of the findings yesterday, on the eve of the Warriors’ do-or-die second leg final round qualifier of the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
After losing first-choice goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini to injury, the coaches have called in Murambadoro and Mazarura to add the needed experience in that area. With coach Gumbo short of options upfront where the likes of Takesure Chinyama have struggled, they will find the clearance of the in-form duo of Malajila and Nkatha convenient and timely.
While Zifa were at pains to convince the reporters that they only received the latest list on Wednesday, the players had already been called into camp.
With the Mzansi90 making efforts to mobilise all required resources for the Angola trip, it looks like the technical team is now well equipped to ensure qualification to South Africa.
Provisional arrangements have been made for a chartered flight to Angola which will also accommodate supporters with the final arrangements expected to be made by Monday.
The team is expected to group in Harare early next week after weekend games to kick-start preparations for the important match.
Players most active (according to the last Asiagate report) Thomas Sweswe 15, Lionel Mtizwa 13, Mtshumayeli Moyo 13, Eusebio Manuwere 10, Gilbert Banda, Johannes Ngodzo both 9, Justice Majabvi, Danisa Phiri both 8, Mernard Mupera, Edward Sadomba, Kingston Nkatha, Washington Pakamisa, Method Mwanjali, Richard Mteki All 7, Tsungi Mudzamiri, Edmore Sibanda, Phillip Marufu, Energy Murambadoro, Costa Nhamoinesu all 6, Edward Tembo, Ali Sadiki, Beaven Chikaka, Tafadzwa Dube, Willard Manyatera all 5
FourElvis Meleka
Three Tichaona Ngodzo, Nicholas Alifandika, Oscar Machapa, Milton Makopa
Two Ovidy Karuru, Pride Tafirenyika, Cuthbert Malajila, Clemence Matawu, David Kutyauripo, Zhaimu Jambo, Washington Arubi, Zephania Ngodzo, Evans Chikwaikwai, Daniel Vheremu, Augustine Mbara, Kennedy Chirwa, Brian Katsuruware, Tendai Ramthokwane, Rex Mabeza, Martin Vengesai, Hardlife Zvirekwi, Milton Ncube, Cliff Sekete, Hardlife Mawundi, Knowledge Machona, Khama Billiat, Proud Zireni, Danisa Phiri, Khumbulani Banda, Nyasha Mukumbi, Gilbert Mapemba, Thabani Goredema, Christopher Samakweri, Tawanda Muparati, Thabani Masuku
One Bekithemba Ndlovu, Charles Chiutsa, Asani Nhongo, Ronald Sengu, Gilbert Mushangazhike, Willard Katsande, Marshal Matenda, Last Chibwiro, Max Nyamupanedengu, Guthrie Zhokinyi, George Magariro, Arthur Mafusire, Carrington Gomba, Wonder Sithole, Thabani Kamusoko, Marvel Samaneka, Edmore Chitato, Tawanda Nyamandwe, Clive Kawinga, Leonard Tsipa, Tawanda Amos Mandicha
List of exonerated players: N Alifandika, K Banda, L Chibwiro, K Chirwa, T Goredema, W Katsande, K Billiat, B Katsuruware, R Mabeza, O Machapa, T Masuku, H Mavundi, A Mbara, M Makopa, N Mukumbi, M Mupanedengu, T Muparati, N Ncube, M Ncube, E Nkomo, A Nhongo, C Samakweri, M Vengesai, P Zireni, H Zvirekwi, A Mafulisi, O Karuru, Valinhos (former Warriors coach) B Tuwaya, E Chikwaikwai, G Mushangazhike, C Chiutsa, R Sengu, M Matenda.
