Strong Zim Warriors To Tackle Zebras

By Fraser Mpofu
Correspondent | Tuesday March 25, 2008 00:00

 

Of the 22 players in the Warriors squad, 12 are based in Zimbabwe while 10 are foreign-based professionals, four of them in Europe. Manchester City's new recruit Benjani Mwaruwari, who is Zimbabwe captain, is part of the foreign-based contingent which includes Honour Gombami and Vusa Nyoni, who play for Cercle Brugge in Belgium, and Harlington Shereni of Nantes FC in France.Six players - Tapuwa Kapini (Platinum Stars), Onismor Bhasera and Tinashe Nengomasha (Kaizer Chiefs), Esrom Nyandoro (Mamelodi Sundowns), Zvenyika Makonese (Cape Town Santos) and Gilbert Mushangazhike (Orlando Pirates) - come from the South African Premier League.

Drawn from the local Premiership are: Energy Murambadoro, David Kutyauripo and Clarkson Dzimbiri (all CAPS United FC), Washington Arubi, Zephaniah Ngodzo, Gilbert Banda and Cuthbert Malajila (all Highlanders FC).

Reigning champions Dynamos have Edward Sadomba, Justice Majabvi, and Leonard Tsipa in the squad. Zhaimu Jambo comes in from top flight debutantes Gunners.

There is no place in the squad for former captain and Zimbabwe's most capped player, Peter Ndlovu, who has 100 caps and plays for Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa and James Matola of Free State Stars who scored the own-goal that sunk Zimbabwe in the South African friendly.

This will be Valinhos' second game in charge after his charges lost 1-2 to South Africa in the friendly international two weeks ago. Following the loss, the Brazilian was severely criticised because of alleged poor selection and tactics.

He now leads his charges in what promises to be another tricky duel with the Zebras who are likely to be gunning for nothing short of victory in their own backyard. 

Zimbabwe Football Association (ZFA) chief executive officer said after failing to arrange a friendly with Swaziland and Malawi, they agreed to a match against the Zebras on Wednesday, a day set aside by FIFA for international friendlies. Zimbabwe's camp for the Gaborone tie started on Sunday and the team held its first training session before departure for Gaborone yesterday.