 |
WARRIORS coach Kalisto Pasuwa has named an enlarged 26-man squad to face Malawi in a 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifier at home on June 5.
The Warriors gaffer has rewarded Orlando Pirates striker Tendai Ndoro with a call-up to the team with unheralded Poland based midfielder Andrew Gwaze also getting a claim in the team.
Triangle goalkeeper Tapiwa Chilenga has also been called up to the squad to face Malawi. Pasuwa said he has been monitoring Gwaze who plays his club football in Poland turning out for relegated Gornik Zabrez.
"He has played for Monomotapa before and I have been monitoring him. I have some video of the matches he has played. "We have an open door policy and there is no one who is guaranteed a place in the team," said the coach.
Ndoro has been in top form for Orlando Pirates where he has scored five league goals in 10 starts.
But there were no places for goalkeeper Washington Arubi and defender Partson Jaure with Warriors team manager Shariff Mussa saying their club - Pretoria Unversity - had requested for them to be excused as they were involved in the play offs.
Chippa United defender Eric Chipeta who struggled in the 1-1 draw against Swaziland in Mbambane was also dropped.
The Warriors are expected to play against Uganda in a friendly match on Tuesday which they will use as a dress rehearsal for the match against Malawi.
Pasuwa said Uganda were ranked above Zimbabwe and they would give his charges a good practice match ahead of the clash against Malawi.
"Uganda are a very strong team, they are ranked above us and they will give us a good practice match," said Pasuwa. The Warriors are set to go into camp on Sunday ahead of the Tuesday friendly.
Zimbabwe lead Group L with eight points and can qualify for the biennial soccer show case for the first time if they beat Malawi at home and Guinea fails to beat Swaziland.
Both Swaziland and Guinea are tied on five points each with Malawi at the foot of the table with two points. Pasuwa also named the Cosafa squad with Rodreck Mutuma and Ronald Chitiyo being sacrificed.
Caps United midfielder Joel Ngodzo has also been overlooked while Chilenga will also not take part in the Cosafa tournament.
2017 Afcon qualifier squad:
Goalkeepers: Tatenda Mukuruva, Bernard Donovan, Tapiwa Chilenga
Defenders: Costa Nhamoinesu, Lawrence Mhlanga, Hardlife Zvirekwi, Bruce Kangwa, Onismo Bhasera, Elisha Muroiwa, Teenage Hadebe, Blessing Moyo
Midfielders: Willard Katsande, Marvellous Nakamba, Danny Phiri, Kuda Mahachi, Marshall Mudehwe, Farai Madhanhanga, Tafadzwa Kutinyu, Andre Gwaze
Strikers: Knowledge Musona, Nyasha Mushekwi, Evans Rusike, Mathew Rusike, Khama Billiat, Cuthbert Malajila, Tendai Ndoro.
No comments:
Post a Comment