Nyandoro to marshal the backline against Burundi

Former Amazulu and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Esrom Nyandoro is being used in central defence for Zimbabwe so he can "marshal the backline" against Burundi this weekend in an attempt to qualify for Afcon 2013 in South Africa.

Nyandoro was called back into the national team with the aim to help bring through some of the younger generation.
 
"I was called back in to help guide the likes of (Knowledge) Musona and (Khama) Billiat. Then I was asked to play in defence and to talk to the younger players, which is fine," Nyandoro says.
 
"I actually used to play in this role many years ago," Nyandoro laughed, with a touch of confidence.
 
"I think our youngsters are doing well, but we just have not been converting our chances.
 
"We lost against Guinea even though we created several scoring chances. It was exactly the same this past weekend (0-0 draw with Mozambique).
 
"I see my role as a really nice challenge and when the coach (Norman Mapeza) asked me to play in defence I said 'fine, no problem'. We hope to qualify for the Nations Cup in South Africa."
 
Nyandoro is the most capped player in his current national team followed by Tinashe Nengomasha and then Tapuwa Kapini.
 
He will be back with Sundowns on July 9 for pre-season training.