WARRIORS COACH Kalisto Pasuwa has named a strong squad comprising 14 foreign-based players headlined by Sweden-based Nyasha Mushekwi and Sparta Prague defender Costa Nhamoinesu ahead of the 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea at Rufaro Stadium on September 6.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
Pasuwa has made several changes to the squad that did duty in Malawi where they emerged 2-1 victors over the Flames to kick off the campaign on a winning note with Netherlands-based Marvellous Nakamba, Denmark-based duo of Ronald Pfumbidzai and Silas Songani being overlooked.
He has instead recalled Quincy Antipas, who plays club football in Denmark for Hobro Ik alongside Pfumbidzai.
Also called up is England-based Tendai Darikwa, who plays for Leeds, as well as Macauley Bonnie who is plying his trade at Colchester United. Former Kaizer Chiefs forward Mathew Rusike, who now plays his club football in Portugal for Halmstads BK, is also in the squad.
Rusike was called up for the Malawi clash, but didn’t turn up even though he was in the country because of problems in the Warriors camp at the time.
Goalkeeper Washington Arubi who turns out for Pretoria University in South Africa also makes a return. Having played 96 of the 99 games that Tuks have played since his arrival in the club’s debut season in top-flight football, the 29-year-old former Dynamos shot stopper now holds the record for most appearances in the club’s short history.
Arubi kept eight clean sheets in the 29 League matches he played last season with Pretoria University finishing 13th in South Africa ABSA Premier League standings.
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He is in line to take over from Tatenda Mukuruva who kept goal for Zimbabwe against Malawi.
Captain Willard Katsande has also retained his place.
With Mushekwi making a return after a lengthy absence from national duty, Knowledge Musona, Khama Billiat, Antipas, Rusike, and Cuthbert Malajia also in the squad, Pasuwa has, perhaps, the deadliest attack available that can pose a real threat against Guinea.
Nhamoinesu is revered in Czech Republic where he plays for Sparta Prague and has also been among the goals already this term.
There were also places for home-based players with Chicken Inn keeper Elvin Chipezeze and Harare City’s Tatenda Munditi also getting a call up. Caps United defenders Hardlife Zvirekwi also makes a return so has Justice Jangano and Highlanders defender Teenage Hadebe.
Zimbabwe are joint leaders of Group L with Swaziland on three points and need a victory against the West African nation to keep alive their dream of participating in the finals.
Warriors squad
Hardlife Zvirekwi (Caps United), Tendai Darikwa (Leeds United) Milton Ncube (Ajax Cape town) Costa Nhamoinesu (Sparta Prague), Patson Jaure ( University of Pretoria), Teenage Hadebe (Highlanders), Justice Tangano (Caps United) Willard Katsande (Kaizer Chiefs), Danny Phiri (Chicken Inn), Bonnie Macauley (Colchester United), Cuthbert Malajila (Sundowns), Khama Billiat (Sundowns), Kuda Mahachi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Quincy Antipas (Hobro IK) Edmore Chirambadare (Chicken Inn), Knowledge Musona (K.V. Oostende), Mathew Rusike (Halmstads BK), Nyasha Mushekwi (Djurgårdens IF) Goalkeepers. Washington Arubi (University of Pretoria), Elvin Chipezeze (Chicken Inn), Tatenda Munditi (Harare City)
