Kutsanzira earns spot in Warriors squad

FC PLATINUM midfielder cum defender Rahman Kutsanzira's performance in his new role for Pure Platinum Play has earned him a place in the Warriors squad after he was named among the defenders in the 24-member squad to face Ghana in back-to-back World Cup qualifiers next month.

The former Highlanders captain and attacking midfielder has now played in all positions, except in goal, and now finds himself in Warriors' interim coach Norman Mapeza's squad alongside FC Platinum teammate and midfield enforcer Kelvin Madzongwe, whose continued snub in previous national team call ups left many football fans dumbfounded.

Also making a return to the Warriors' fold is the Tanzanian-based Azam FC duo Never Tigere and Bruce Kangwa.

Suspended talisman Khama Billiat will also be travelling to Ghana for training purposes as the squad will have more time in Ghana than in Zimbabwe.

According to team manager Wellington Mpandare, the players will leave their various bases on Monday next week and arrive in Ghana the following day, four days before match day.

"Khama is suspended, but we have more time in Ghana preparing for the two games so he has to be there although he won't be part of the team that will play the first game," said Mpandare.
Zifa communications and competitions manager Xolisani Gwesela said negotiations were still underway to have United Kingdom-based players available for the return leg against Ghana in Harare.

"The Warriors technical team, led by Norman Mapeza, has named a 24-member squad for the upcoming Fifa World Cup 2022 qualifiers against Ghana. The Warriors will play away to Ghana on October 9 and then host the Black Stars at the National Sports Stadium on October 12, 2021.

England-based clubs have pledged to release requested players for the away tie in Ghana because the venue is not on England's Covid-19 red list like Zimbabwe. Negotiations are still ongoing to also have the players available for the home match in Harare," said Gwesela.

The Warriors' technical bench needs to summon all its shrewdness against the Black Stars and make sure they get, at the minimum, a point and then finish off their opponents at the National Sports Stadium three days later.

A loss in both matches will all but put paid to the nation's dreams of a maiden World Cup appearance as it will mean the Warriors will finish with a maximum of seven points, if they win the last two matches against Ethiopia and South Africa.

The Warriors occupy bottom spot in Group G with a single point, while Bafana Bafana top the group with four points.

Ghana are second with three points, the same as third-placed Ethiopia.
Warriors squad

Goalkeepers: Martin Mapisa (Zamora CF) Talbert Shumba (Free State Stars) Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants)

Defenders: Alec Mudimu (Torpedo Kutaisi) Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle) Bruce Kangwa (Azam) Jordan Zemura (AFC Bournemouth) Onismor Bhasera (SuperSport United) Rahman Kutsanzira (FC Platinum) Teenage Hadebe (Houston Dynamo) Tendayi Darikwa (Wigan Athletic)

Midfielders: Blessing Sarupinda (Sekhukhune United) Farai Madhanaga (Marumo Gallants) Kelvin Madzongwe (FC Platinum) Khama Billiat (Kaizer Chiefs) Kudakwashe Mahachi (SuperSport United) Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims) Marvelous Nakamba (Aston Villa) Never Tigere (Azam) Perfect Chikwende (Simba SC) Thabani Kamusoko (Zesco United)

Strikers: Knowledge Musona (Al-Tai) Knox Mutizwa (Lamontville Golden Arrows) Terrence Dzvukamanja (Orlando Pirates)