Mr Cooper appointed Warriors assistant coach

CALLISTO Pasuwa has ended speculation over the set-up of his technical team with the Warriors coach yesterday appointing Harare City's assistant coach Mkuphali "Mr Cooper" Masuku as his assistant coach.

Masuku, who makes a return to the Warriors dressing room having been part of the set-up in 2014, replaces suspended Nation Dube as one of Pasuwa's assistants.

The other assistant is Border Strikers coach Saul Chaminuka. Pasuwa revealed that he had settled for Mkuphali during a Press conference in Harare yesterday.

ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa said he had accepted the recommendation.

"This is one area we have been talking of, this a national team and it mustn't be a Pasuwa thing. I talked to my president as you know he is the head of all the national teams," said Pasuwa.

"I have made my recommendation.

"Talking of Mkuphali, he is a coach whom I know better as you know in this job when you are going east you need all people to go east and he is one person whom I think will go east."

Chiyangwa said they have to create the perfect working environment for Pasuwa.

"He has recommended a gentleman by the name Mkuphali Masuku from Harare City to be his assistant coach," said Chiyangwa.

"If we impose someone for him and we lose matches, there would be a problem and he (Pasuwa) will say you made me lose."

Pasuwa tinkered heavily with the CHAN misfiring attack by dropping Dynamos forward Rodreck Mutuma, Harare City's Francesco Zekumbawire and Chicken Inn's Moses Demera for COSAFA.

Only Harare City striker William Manondo was retained. The squad will go into camp after the Malawi match.

Harare City midfielder Ronald "Rooney" Chitiyo paid the price for a poor start in the league and has also been overlooked for COSAFA.

However, there were places for four of Chitiyo's teammates Blessing Moyo, Farai Madhananga, Raphael Manuvire and Manondo.

The former Dynamos coach has rewarded veteran Chicken Inn forward Obadiah Tarumbwa, who has been playing a key role for his new team.

Six débutantes made it into the COSAFA squad, which only has one foreign-based player, Jomo Cosmos striker Charlton Mashumba.

COSAFA squad:

Goalkeepers: Tatenda Mukuruva (Dynamos), Bernard Donovan (How Mine), Nelson Chadya (Ngezi Platinum).

Defenders: Hardlife Zvirekwi (CAPS United), Blessing Moyo (Harare City), Bruce Kangwa (Highlanders), Ronald Pfumbidzai (CAPS United), Lawrence Mhlanga (Chicken Inn), Teenage Hadebe (Chicken Inn), Elisha Muroyiwa (Dynamos), William Stima (Tsholotsho).

Midfielders: Marshal Mudehwe (FC Platinum), Danny Phiri (Chicken Inn), Nqobizitha Masuku (FC Platinum), Farai Madhananga (Harare City), Raphael Manuvire (Harare City), King Nadolo (Highlanders), Talent Chawapiwa (ZPC Kariba), Hillary Bakacheza (FC Platinum), Tafadzwa Kutinyu (Chicken Inn).

Strikers: Mitchel Katsvairo (Chicken Inn), William Manondo (Harare City), Walter Musona (FC Platinum), Charlton Mashumba (Jomo Cosmos), Obadiah Tarumbwa (Chicken Inn).