LOCALLY-based Young Warriors players trooped into camp last night to begin preparations for Sunday’s first leg, final Under-23 African Championship football qualifier at Rufaro Stadium against South Africa.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
At the time of going to press, 18 players were in camp.
Zimbabwe and South Africa face off for the right to play in the finals set for Dakar, Senegal, in December.
And last night, there was a good response with the majority of the home-based players reporting for national duty after the weekend games.
Pasuwa has named a strong squad comprising mainly locally-based players who participated in the matches against Cameroon and Swaziland with just three foreign-based players selected for the crucial tie.
There were also new faces like in-form Bosso striker Knox Mutizwa, FC Platinum’s Walter Musona, Caps United goalkeeper Chris Mverechena and Chicken Inn’s Raphael Kutinyu who did not play a part in those qualifiers.
From the foreign contingent, Pasuwa has called up Kuda Mahachi (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Marvelous Nakamba (Vitesse, Netherlands), Ronald Pfumbidzai (Hobro IK, Denmark).
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However, their availability could not be ascertained yesterday as Zifa were still involved in negotiations with their respective clubs for their release.
However, Pfumbidzai is still iAn the country as he awaits a ticket from his club to join them for pre-season training.
Efforts were also being made by Warriors team manager Shariff Mussa to negotiate with Hobro to allow him to play for the Young Warriors before joining them for pre-season training.
Meanwhile, the Castle Premier Soccer League (PSL) has postponed all Week 17 matches to “give support to the U23 national soccer team that will be playing against South Africa on 19 July 2015 at Rufaro Stadium in an important Rio 2016 Olympic Games qualifying match”.
PSL chief executive Kennedy Ndebele made the announcement last night.
“As you are aware, the winner of the match will qualify for the Eight Nations tournament to be held in Senegal which will serve as a final qualifier for the Rio Olympics,” he said.
“The Castle Lager Premier League match day 17 will resume on July 25 2015.
“PSL urges all football-loving fans to come in their numbers and rally behind the Young Warriors. We take this opportunity to wish the Young Warriors the best of luck in this important match.”
Young Warriors squad
Goalkeepers: Tatenda Mukuruva, Donovan Benard, Criss Mverechena
Defenders: Ronald Pfumbidzai, Blessing Moyo, Carlos Rusere, Teenage Hadebe, Nqobizitha Masuku, Lawrence Mhlanga, Raphael Kutinyu, Jimmy Kanono, Farai Madhananga
Midfielders: Marshall Mudehwe, Gerald Takwara, Malvern Gaki, Wisdom Mutasa, Walter Musona, Kuda Mahachi, Marvelous Nakamba
Strikers: Thomas Chideu, Knox Mutizwa, Mgcini Sibanda, Tino Kadewere, Pritchard Mpelele
