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Muroiwa set to make Afcon squad

Sport
Dynamos centre-back, Elisha Muroiwa is set to be included in the Warriors squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Gabon starting next month after he was certified fit following an ankle injury that had seen him miss several matches for his club in the just-ended campaign.

Dynamos centre-back, Elisha Muroiwa is set to be included in the Warriors squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Gabon starting next month after he was certified fit following an ankle injury that had seen him miss several matches for his club in the just-ended campaign.

BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA

There were fears that Muroiwa, who was injured at the Cosafa tournament in Namibia with the national team, would not recover in time to be considered for the January tournament.

Muroiwa formed a good partnership with Czech Republic-based Costa Nhamoinesu in the qualifiers at the heart of the defence before he sustained the injury.

In his absence, Pasuwa deployed Chicken Inn’s Lawrence Mhlanga, but the coach prefers Muroiwa, who played in most of the qualifiers.

Pasuwa had been waiting for the doctors’ advice on the preparedness of Muroiwa, who played in Dynamos’ challenge match against Highlanders on Sunday.

Muroiwa’s availability comes as a relief to Pasuwa, as he finalises his squad for the continental showcase.

Yesterday, Muroiwa declared himself fit and ready for the Afcon challenge.

“I am back to fitness. I have been told by the doctors that I am now fit. This is why I played in Bulawayo. I am ready to play and, if given the chance, to be part of the Afcon squad, I will grab the opportunity,” he said.

The defender did not make any meaningful contribution in a largely poor season for the Glamour Boys because of injuries.

He also missed the last match of the season, a 3-2 defeat to Chicken Inn, with Dynamos being forced to rely on Obey Mwerahari and Marshal Machazane in his absence.

Muroiwa had become a subject of interest from some South African clubs following a dream partnership with Nhamoinesu in the qualifiers.

Pasuwa is expected to stick with the players that did duty in the qualifiers, where they lost only one match on their route to the finals.

Zifa have lined up a number of international friendly matches ahead of the Gabon tournament with matches against Ivory Coast on Boxing Day and Cameroon on January 10 already confirmed.

There is a possibility of another match against either Egypt, Libya, Gabon or Mali before the tournament kicks off and Muroiwa will certainly benefit from some game time.

The Warriors are in Group B together with Algeria, Tunisia and Senegal.