Pasuwa calls up inactive players into Warriors Nations Cup, Cosafa squads

WARRIORS coach Callisto Pasuwa yesterday called up a 26-member African Nations Cup Group L qualifying squad and another 25 for the Cosafa competition.

The Afcon squad takes on Malawi on June 3 in a crucial qualifier set for the National Sports Stadium that could see the Warriors making their third appearance at the finals set for Gabon next year.

However, the call-up of inactive or non-regular players into the two sets of squads may raise the eyebrows of football fans.

Pasuwa called up Donovan Bernard, who has not seen action at How Mine this year while Tapiwa Chilenga has had his place at Triangle taken by Ronald Mudimu. The national team coaches did not select him for the Cosafa squad made up largely of players plying their trade locally, choosing instead rookie, Nelson Chadya from new boys Ngezi Platinum.

FC Platinum's Petros Mhari, who has conceded the least number of goals so far (2) could have been picked instead, as well as Highlanders' Ariel Sibanda.

Chicken Inn's Teenage Hadebe has played just two games this season, having been out since his days at Highlanders last season while promising right back Blessing Moyo, who joined Harare City from Dynamos this season, hasn't been featuring for the Taurai Mangwiro coached Sunshine Boys.

"Players for national teams are usually picked for a number of reasons but consistency at club level must be the key issue," said a former national team coach.

Andrew Gwaze who plays for Gornik Zabrze in Poland only played 37 minutes for the first team in the entire 2015/16 season but was called up for the Afcon qualifier.

Based on form so far this season, Caps United's Joel Ngodzo, Dynamos' Ocean Mushure, Harare City's Kudakwashe Kumwala, Highlanders' Rahman Kutsanzira, FC Platinum trio of Winston Mhango and the Moyo twins Kelvin and Elvis ought to have been part of the national teams.

Meanwhile, the Afcon squad will go into camp on Sunday after the blockbuster league encounter between arch rivals Dynamos and Highlanders at Rufaro Stadium on Saturday. "The Cosafa team will then troop into camp immediately after the Malawi encounter but the finer details will be availed in due course," said Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela.

Chicken Inn striker Obadiah Tarumbwa makes a return to the Cosafa squad and will be part of the striker force that has his teammate Mitchelle Katsvairo, Walter Musona, William Kanondo and Jomo Cosmos' Charlton Mashumba, the only foreign-based player.

Also making it into the Namibia-bound squad is Bosso's King Nadolo as well as Tsholotsho's inspirational skipper William Sitima.

The Warriors are in the same group as Swaziland, Madagascar and Seychelles and the winner will meet Zambia in the quarter final on June 19. Zambia coach coach George Lwandamina yesterday named a largely inexperienced squad made up of locally based players.

Afcon qualifier squad

Goalkeepers: Tatenda Mukuruva (Dynamos), Donovan Bernard (How Mine), Tapiwa Chilenga (Triangle)

Defenders: Costa Nhamoinesu (Praha FC, Czech Republic), Lawrence Mhlanga (Chicken Inn), Hardlife Zvirekwi (Caps United), Bruce Kangwa (Highlanders), Onesimo Bhasera (Bidvest, SA), Elisha Muroiwa (Dynamos), Teenage Hadebe (Chicken Inn), Blessing Moyo (Harare City)

Midfielders: Willard Katsande (Kaizer Chiefs, SA), Marvellous Nakamba (Vitesse, Netherlands), Danny Phiri (Chicken Inn), Kuda Mahachi (Golden Arrows, SA), Marshall Mudehwe (FC Platinum), Farai Madanhanga( Harare City), Tafadzwa Kutinyu (Chicken Inn,) Andrew Gwaze (Gornik Zabrze, Poland),

Strikers: Tendai Ndoro (Orlando Pirates), Knowledge Musona (Ostende, Belgium), Nyasha Mushekwi (Daliyan Yifang, China), Evans Rusike (Maritzburg, SA), Mathew Rusike (Helsingbord, Sweden), Khama Billiart (Mamelodi Sundowns, SA), Cuthbert Malajila( Mamelodi Sundowns, SA)

Cosafa squad

Goalkeepers: Tatenda Mukuruva, Donovan Bernard, Nelson Chadya (Ngezi Platinum)

Defenders: Hardlife Zvirekwi, Blessing Moyo, Bruce Kangwa, Ronald Pfumbidzai (Caps United), Lawrence Mhlanga, Teenage Hadebe, Elisha Muroiwa, William Sitima (Tsholotsho)

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

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