Caps United midfielder Joel Ngodzo’s rich vein of form has not gone unnoticed after he was included in the 32-member Warriors training squad for the African Nations Championship (Chan) finals, but Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Chicken Inn have provided more players than any other club.
BY HENRY MHARA
With seven players in the squad announced by Warriors coach Kalisto Pasuwa yesterday, the Gamecocks dominate the squad.
The tournament will be held in Rwanda from January 16 to February 7, 2016.
Skipper Danny Phiri, who also captains the locally-based Warriors, leads the Chicken Inn contingent that also includes goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, Lawrence Mhlanga, Tichaona Chipunza, Tafadzwa Kutinyu, Edmore Chirambadare and George Majika, who received his first national team call-up.
Dynamos have six players with a first call-up for Elisha Muroiwa, while Highlanders have four.
Zimbabwe are in Group D together with Mali, Uganda and Zambia at the Chan finals and Pasuwa has indicated the need for thorough preparations if his team is to make a mark at the tournament reserved for locally-based players.
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“We need to prepare adequately as this group is tough. All these teams – Zambia, Uganda and Mali – have a large number of locals representing their senior team in their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers. They are well organised and have solid structures,” Pasuwa told the media yesterday.
Pasuwa explained reasons for picking such a large group of players.
“I have fears over possible injuries considering that the players are coming out of a high-intensity season. Some players are reported to have injuries and we need to manage their fitness carefully,” the former Dynamos coach said.
The coach expressed his desire to reach the final in Rwanda next year.
“It’s our wish as Zimbabwe to progress to the final and have a good run in the tournament.”
Warriors finished fourth at the 2014 tournament which was hosted by South Africa.
Group D matches will be played at the Rubavu Stadium in Gisenyi.
The Warriors have appeared at all the finals since the inception of Chan in 2009.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe have dropped one place on the Fifa rankings that were released by the world football governing body yesterday.
The Warriors are now ranked 110, one rung below Malawi. The drop could have been caused by the team’s inactivity in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Warriors Chan squad
Goalkeepers: E Chipezeze (Chicken Inn), T Mukuruva (Dynamos), T Mawaya (Hwange Colliery), D Bernard (How Mine)
Defenders: S Makatuka, H Zvirekwi (Caps United), B Kangwa, T Hadebe (Highlanders FC), O Mushure, B Moyo, E Muroiwa (Dynamos), L Mhlanga (Chicken Inn ), F Madhananga (Flame Lily)
Midfielders: N Masuku (Highlanders), T Chipunza, T Kutinyu, G Majika, D Phiri (Chicken Inn), R Chitiyo (Dynamos), R Manuvire (ZPC Kariba), M Mudehwe, G Takwara (FC Platinum), W Manondo (Harare City), J Ngodzo (Caps United) H Bakacheza (Triangle United)
Strikers: P Mpelele (Hwange Colliery), R Mutuma (Dynamos), E Chirambadare (Chicken Inn), B Muzondiwa (FC Platinum), F Zekumbawira (Harare City), K Mutizwa ( Highlanders), M Demera (Flame Lily)
