Sports / Soccer
Mapeza names his Warriors for Chipolopolo clash
31 Jul 2011 at 15:47hrs | Views
Zimbabwe Warriors coach Norman Mapeza yesterday called up a 20-man squad that includes chief striker Knowledge Musona, who on Thursday sealed a dream move to German Bundesliga outfit TSF Hoffenheim, has been named for Zimbabwe's international friendly against Zambia at Rufaro on August 10 with the national coach being granted his wish by Zifa to call on all of his available stars.
The squad, which was announced by team manager Sharrif Mussa, also includes skipper Method Mwanjali of Mamelodi Sundowns, striker Edward Sadomba who is enjoying fine form at Al Hilal in Sudan and new Mamelodi Sundowns recruit Simba Sithole.
Right back Gilbert Mapemba, who has just joined Moroka Swallows, has also been included as has national Under-23 centre back Lincoln Zvasiya from local Premiership moneybags FC Platinum.
Mussa said they were expecting the players to assemble in Harare on August 8.
Mussa also explained that coach Mapeza and his assistant Joey Antipas had left out midfielders Justice Majabvi and Archieford Gutu to give them more time to look for new clubs.
Majabvi's contract with Austrian Bundesliga side LASK Linz has expired while Gutu's latest search for a professional contract has taken the Dynamos man to Sweden where he is trying his luck together with Black Mambas' midfielder Abbas Amidu.
With the Warriors looking to use the showdown with Chipolopolo to prepare for their African Cup of Nations clash against Liberia in September, Kaizer Chiefs centre back Thomas Sweswe and Mamelodi Sundowns striker Nyasha Mushekwi, who are suspended for that Group A assignment, have been left out.
Sweswe and Mushekwi have each picked up two yellow cards in earlier Nations Cup qualifiers and will only be back for the Warriors' final game against Cape Verde in Praia.
Mussa and Mapeza also saluted Musona on his move to Hoffenheim with the Warriors manager attributing the transfer to the striker's "discipline and commitment".
"Apart from being talented, Knowledge has always been a disciplined and committed player even when he is in camp with the Warriors and this move has shown the other players the good places where being disciplined all the time can lead you to,'' Mussa said.
Mapeza also lauded his striker and said "he has made everyone associated with Zimbabwean football proud".
The Warriors coach said it was his wish to have most of his troops playing in the world's top leagues as it would augur well for Zimbabwe's aspirations.
"This is a welcome move and I would like to congratulate Knowledge. It is not only good for us as coaches to have your players in the world's top league but it is also good for football as a whole and I must say Knowledge has done us all proud," Mapeza said.
The Warriors coach also welcomed news that Club Africain forward Cuthbert Malajila had struck a deal with Dynamos that will enable him to resume playing and end a six-month forced exile.
Club Africain of Tunisia had just loaned Malajila out to a Libyan outfit Al Akhdar when civil unrest broke out in Tripoli, which left the former Chapungu and Highlanders striker in limbo.
"I think it was time that Cuthbert should start playing again because he is an experienced striker who is needed in the squad.
Mapeza also hailed his troops for their continued rise on the Fifa World rankings, which has seen them climb up into the top 100 on the globe and 21 on the continent.
The Warriors beat Mali 2-1 in a Nations Cup Group A qualifier at Rufaro on June 5, which sparked a massive rise from 126th to 87th in the world.
This week the Warriors rose another place into 86th on the global ratings and Mapeza said the rise was timely as it helped them just avoid playing the preliminary round stages of the 2014 World qualifiers.
The draw for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers will be conducted in Brazil tonight.
"Before our Mali game we were facing the preliminaries but now people realise the importance of these rankings.
"By rising on the rankings we have avoided many things and it will also help cut costs on the part of Zifa as we would have had to camp and travel to fulfil those fixtures.
"Now everyone in football knows the importance of winning and we will keep working very hard in order to keep rising because it will also mean that we will earn the respect of the international world . . . no one will take you seriously if you are number 130," Mapeza said.
Warriors Squad:
Goalkeepers
Washington Arubi, Tapuwa Kapini
Defenders
Method Mwanjali, Tapiwa Khumbuyani, Vusa Nyoni, Qadr Amini, Gilbert Mapemba, Daniel Veremu, Lincoln Zvasiya
Midfielders
Tinashe Nengomasha, Khama Billiat, Willard Katsande, Ovidy Karuru, Quincy Antipas, Charles Sibanda, Benjamin Marere, Eric Mudzingwa.
Strikers
Knowledge Musona, Edward Sadomba, Simba Sithole.
The squad, which was announced by team manager Sharrif Mussa, also includes skipper Method Mwanjali of Mamelodi Sundowns, striker Edward Sadomba who is enjoying fine form at Al Hilal in Sudan and new Mamelodi Sundowns recruit Simba Sithole.
Right back Gilbert Mapemba, who has just joined Moroka Swallows, has also been included as has national Under-23 centre back Lincoln Zvasiya from local Premiership moneybags FC Platinum.
Mussa said they were expecting the players to assemble in Harare on August 8.
Mussa also explained that coach Mapeza and his assistant Joey Antipas had left out midfielders Justice Majabvi and Archieford Gutu to give them more time to look for new clubs.
Majabvi's contract with Austrian Bundesliga side LASK Linz has expired while Gutu's latest search for a professional contract has taken the Dynamos man to Sweden where he is trying his luck together with Black Mambas' midfielder Abbas Amidu.
With the Warriors looking to use the showdown with Chipolopolo to prepare for their African Cup of Nations clash against Liberia in September, Kaizer Chiefs centre back Thomas Sweswe and Mamelodi Sundowns striker Nyasha Mushekwi, who are suspended for that Group A assignment, have been left out.
Sweswe and Mushekwi have each picked up two yellow cards in earlier Nations Cup qualifiers and will only be back for the Warriors' final game against Cape Verde in Praia.
Mussa and Mapeza also saluted Musona on his move to Hoffenheim with the Warriors manager attributing the transfer to the striker's "discipline and commitment".
"Apart from being talented, Knowledge has always been a disciplined and committed player even when he is in camp with the Warriors and this move has shown the other players the good places where being disciplined all the time can lead you to,'' Mussa said.
Mapeza also lauded his striker and said "he has made everyone associated with Zimbabwean football proud".
"This is a welcome move and I would like to congratulate Knowledge. It is not only good for us as coaches to have your players in the world's top league but it is also good for football as a whole and I must say Knowledge has done us all proud," Mapeza said.
The Warriors coach also welcomed news that Club Africain forward Cuthbert Malajila had struck a deal with Dynamos that will enable him to resume playing and end a six-month forced exile.
Club Africain of Tunisia had just loaned Malajila out to a Libyan outfit Al Akhdar when civil unrest broke out in Tripoli, which left the former Chapungu and Highlanders striker in limbo.
"I think it was time that Cuthbert should start playing again because he is an experienced striker who is needed in the squad.
Mapeza also hailed his troops for their continued rise on the Fifa World rankings, which has seen them climb up into the top 100 on the globe and 21 on the continent.
The Warriors beat Mali 2-1 in a Nations Cup Group A qualifier at Rufaro on June 5, which sparked a massive rise from 126th to 87th in the world.
This week the Warriors rose another place into 86th on the global ratings and Mapeza said the rise was timely as it helped them just avoid playing the preliminary round stages of the 2014 World qualifiers.
The draw for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers will be conducted in Brazil tonight.
"Before our Mali game we were facing the preliminaries but now people realise the importance of these rankings.
"By rising on the rankings we have avoided many things and it will also help cut costs on the part of Zifa as we would have had to camp and travel to fulfil those fixtures.
"Now everyone in football knows the importance of winning and we will keep working very hard in order to keep rising because it will also mean that we will earn the respect of the international world . . . no one will take you seriously if you are number 130," Mapeza said.
Warriors Squad:
Goalkeepers
Washington Arubi, Tapuwa Kapini
Defenders
Method Mwanjali, Tapiwa Khumbuyani, Vusa Nyoni, Qadr Amini, Gilbert Mapemba, Daniel Veremu, Lincoln Zvasiya
Midfielders
Tinashe Nengomasha, Khama Billiat, Willard Katsande, Ovidy Karuru, Quincy Antipas, Charles Sibanda, Benjamin Marere, Eric Mudzingwa.
Strikers
Knowledge Musona, Edward Sadomba, Simba Sithole.
Source - .
