KALISTO Pasuwa has challenged players at his disposal to prove their worth in the absence of experienced stars as the Young Warriors — severely depleted due to the non-availability of several key players — host seasoned campaigners Cameroon in the All-Africa Games first round, first leg football qualifier at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
The Young Warriors coach had 18 players at yesterday morning’s training session at Chikurubi where they are camped.
“We are facing a challenge ahead of this game. We will have to do with the players we have. I have been telling the players it’s a chance to prove themselves. This is a national cause and I thought our clubs would release players we had requested for this game.
“Some of them were said to have been injured, but Bernard Donovan, our first choice goalkeeper played for How Mine at the weekend.
“The Caps United coach had said he would release players we had requested three days before the match, but again we are building a new team and three days is just not enough.
“I haven’t really assessed players like Kudzai Nyamupfukudza and Takudzwa Mahori and I needed more time with them to have a proper assessment. If Caps United are to release the players three days before the match, it would make sense if they can just give me Ronald Pfumbidzai because I have been working with him,” Pasuwa said.
The former Dynamos coach said he was not sure if his ex-side and Bulawayo giants Highlanders would release players for the Cameroon match.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“With Dynamos and Highlanders we have been communicating well, but at the weekend, they requested players for the ZNA Charity Shield. I don’t know if Highlanders will release the players since they also have a league game this weekend. It’s a problem because the three Highlanders players Teenage Hadebe, Thomas Chideu and Nqobizitha Masuku are key players.
“FC Platinum had initially promised the players would join camp upon their return from Tanzania, but they proceeded to Zvishavane on arrival,” said Pasuwa after yesterday morning’s training session.
The quartet of Walter Musona, Wisdom Mutasa, Kelvin Moyo and Emmanuel Mandiranga had been included in the squad to face Cameroon, but their coach Norman Mapeza advised Pasuwa on his return from Tanzania that the match was not on the Fifa calendar for international matches.
Pasuwa said he was hoping FC Platinum would at least release Mutasa and Musona. He still hopes to secure Mamelodi Sundowns winger Kuda Mahachi and Macauley Bonne who plays for Colchester United in England three days before the match.
