HARARE City have received a huge boost ahead of their Caf Confederations Cup first round, first leg tie against Zambian representatives Zanaco at Rufaro on Saturday with the return of striker Kuda Kumwala to fitness.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
But big striker Francesco Zekumbawire remains sidelined and has been ruled out of the clash.
Team manager Pardon Chivasa said yesterday, Kumwala returned to light training with the team on Monday and has since regained fitness.
The Sunshine City Boys striker sustained a strained muscle during their match against AS Adema of Madagascar two weeks back.
Harare City booted out AS Adema of Madascar following a 6-3 aggregate victory to set up a clash against the Zambian side in the first round.
“Kuda has regained fitness and is available for selection. He started training with the team on Monday but Zekumbawire remains sidelined. He is yet to start training so he is out of the match on Saturday,” said Chivasa.
Yesterday, Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas whose side’s 2-2 draw against the Zambian side during the team’s participation in a four team invitational tournament in Zambia before their African Champions league participation a month ago said Zanaco were a good side all round and posed a real threat to the Sunshine City Boys.
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The Chicken Inn gaffer however, believes Harare City were also a good side that could give the Zambians a good run for their money and emerge victorious.
“They are a good side all round. It will be a very tough match but Harare City are also a very good side. They can give the Zambians a good run for their money and run away winners. It will be interesting,” Antipas said.
Harare City go into the match against Zanaco with their confidence high following a victory over city rivals Caps United whom they booted out of the ZNA Charity Shield 4-3 on penalties at Rufaro on Sunday after the match had ended 1-1 in regulation time.
What makes their victory against Caps United special was that they rested several key players who include Raphael Manuvire, Themba Ndlovu, Ronald Chitiyo while the injured pair of big striker Francesco Zekumbawire and Kuda Kumwala also did not take part with coach Taurai Mangwiro opting to give some of his juniors a run.
And the juniors who include Tanaka Ruzvidzo, Jerry Chipangura and Tatenda Tumba did not disappoint as they displayed a vintage show to dump their city rivals out of the tournament.
