×
NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

Gorowa recalls Katsande

Sport
KAIZER Chiefs midfielder Willard Katsande has been recalled to the Warriors fold after a lengthy absence, with the Zimbabwean anchorman set to play

KAIZER Chiefs midfielder Willard Katsande has been recalled to the Warriors fold after a lengthy absence, with the Zimbabwean anchorman set to play a key role in the dead rubber 2014 World Cup qualifier against Mozambique in Harare next weekend.

REPORT BY SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

Katsande will be the only foreign-based player in the squad to do duty against the Mambas of Mozambique with Warriors coach Ian Gorowa revealing that he would use home based players for the match.

He is seeking to build on the success of the locally-based players who won a ticket to the African Nations Championships (Chan) ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2015 qualifiers.

The Warriors stunned Zambia 1-0 with FC Platinum forward Charles Sibanda scoring the priceless goal before a huge crowd at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Saturday. It’s the third successive time that the Warriors have qualified for the tournament in which only home-based players compete.

Now, Gorowa wants to continue to assess his local playing personnel as he seeks to prepare for the tournament in South Africa next year, while also preparing for the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

However, it is his decision to recall Katsande that is certain to endear him with the fans.

Katsande was last in action against Guinea last June when he was red-carded and has served his two-match suspension.

He was ignored by former coach Klaus Dieter Pagels, with the German mentor arguing he did not fit into his tiki taka philosophy.

That decision was met with disapproval from the Zimbabwean fans who believed that he is the best holding midfielder in the country at the moment.

Gorowa said for the friendly match against South Africa two days later, he would use mostly South Africa-based players.

“We will stick to home-based players for the World Cup qualifier against Mozambique. The only foreign-based player we are going to call up is Willard Katsande. As for the friendly against South Africa, we will use mostly those based in that country,” Gorowa said.

Zimbabwe have a single point from the qualifiers after drawing against Mozambique.

They have suffered defeats to Guinea and Egypt home and away.