CAPS United have finally given in to the directive by Zifa to release three of their players to the Zimbabwe Under-23 soccer team preparing for the All-Africa Games first round, first leg against Cameroon set for March 22.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
Caps United coach Mark Harrison had defied a directive by the national association to release three players to the Young Warriors camp on the basis that the match falls outside the Fifa calendar for international matches.
Left-back Ronald Pfumbidzai, Takudzwa Mahori and Kudzai Nyamupfukudza had been called up to camp by Young Warriors coach Kalisto Pasuwa.
However, Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze met with Caps United chief executive Joe Makuvire yesterday to iron out the issue.
Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela said: “The issue has been resolved. Caps United chief executive Joe Makuvire had a meeting with Zifa CEO today (yesterday) and it was agreed that Caps United would release the players for camp. So the three Caps United players will be joining others in camp,” said Gwesela.
Pasuwa had been left with a severely depleted squad after having initially called up a 26-member squad that also boasted five foreign-based players.
The coach was, however, forced to make changes to his initial squad after it emerged that Kuda Mahachi who plays for South African Premiership side Mamelodi Sundowns, Macauley Bonne of Colchester United in England and Netherlands-based Marvellous Nakamba were not joining camp because the match is not on the Fifa calendar for international matches.
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That four FC Platinum players Kelvin Moyo, Walter Musona, Wisdom Mutasa and Emmanuel Mandiranga, who are all key members of the Young Warriors had been excused as they are set to travel today to Tanzania for their Caf Confederation Cup against Young Africans this weekend did not help matters.
Meanwhile, Zifa says the Young Warriors will not be breaking camp this weekend which follows that Dynamos and Caps United will be without some of their players who are in the national team when they lock horns in the Zimbabwe National Army Charity Shield semi-final at Rufaro on Sunday.
Dynamos have defender Blessing Moyo and forward Thomas Kadyaridzire in the squad preparing for the Cameroon tie.
