Sports / Soccer
Zimbabwe Warriors depart for Egypt
22 Mar 2013 at 07:21hrs | Views
ZIFA president Cuthbert Dube says the squad assembled for the World Cup qualifier against Egypt should be the rock on which to build a strong Warriors' team that will make an impression in the 2015 Nations Cup campaign.
The Harare business executive, who hosted the Warriors at his offices yesterday just hours before they left for their mission in Egypt, believes the nation has found a squad of young men who can be moulded into a very strong national team ahead of the next Nations Cup qualifiers.
Dube said the new-look Warriors were not tainted by the Asiagate match-fixing scandal, which rocked the local football community for the past three years, and he was hopeful they will evolve into an efficient fighting force that will make the nation proud.
Warriors' caretaker coach, Dieter-Klaus Pagels, has drafted in a number of young players with a number of heavyweight names like former skipper, Method Mwanjali, still sidelined as he fights for his innocence after being banned for life by Zifa.
Experienced players like Nyasha Mushekwi, Cuthbert Malajila and Edward Sadomba, who were either cleared or given a reprieve in the Asiagate saga, have been left on the sidelines with traces of suspicion still lingering on after that dark period.
Midfielder, Ovidy Karuru, was a late call-up to the team while 'keeper Washington Arubi, who was given a reprieve, has earned the trust of Pagels.
A small band of eight home-based players and their technical team, which included assistant coach Peter Ndlovu, left the capital yesterday via Addis Ababa where they were scheduled to meet with the South Africa-based counterparts.
Highlanders' midfielder, Masimba Mambare, who was on standby and got the last call-up on Tuesday night after Gilbert Mapemba pulled out with an injury, said their team, which has received little support, will appeal to the supporters with time.
"It is normal in football that every new thing is doubted and resisted at first but it is up to us now to prove them wrong by doing well in Egypt.
"It is a great honour to play for your country and I was happy when it was confirmed that I am now in the team. I will take my chance and use it to enhance my career as well," said Mambare.
Warriors Squad:
Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi, Maxwell Nyamupangedengu.
Defenders: Lincolin Zvasiya, Partson Jaure, Augustine Mbara, Ocean Mushure, Hardlife Zvirekwi.
Midfielders: Denver Mukamba, Khama Billiart, Ovidy Karuru, Archieford Gutu, Abbas Amidu, Tafadzwa Rusike, Ronald Chitiyo, Silas Songani, Masimba Mambare.
Strikers: Knowledge Musona, Roderick Mutuma.
The Harare business executive, who hosted the Warriors at his offices yesterday just hours before they left for their mission in Egypt, believes the nation has found a squad of young men who can be moulded into a very strong national team ahead of the next Nations Cup qualifiers.
Dube said the new-look Warriors were not tainted by the Asiagate match-fixing scandal, which rocked the local football community for the past three years, and he was hopeful they will evolve into an efficient fighting force that will make the nation proud.
Warriors' caretaker coach, Dieter-Klaus Pagels, has drafted in a number of young players with a number of heavyweight names like former skipper, Method Mwanjali, still sidelined as he fights for his innocence after being banned for life by Zifa.
Experienced players like Nyasha Mushekwi, Cuthbert Malajila and Edward Sadomba, who were either cleared or given a reprieve in the Asiagate saga, have been left on the sidelines with traces of suspicion still lingering on after that dark period.
A small band of eight home-based players and their technical team, which included assistant coach Peter Ndlovu, left the capital yesterday via Addis Ababa where they were scheduled to meet with the South Africa-based counterparts.
Highlanders' midfielder, Masimba Mambare, who was on standby and got the last call-up on Tuesday night after Gilbert Mapemba pulled out with an injury, said their team, which has received little support, will appeal to the supporters with time.
"It is normal in football that every new thing is doubted and resisted at first but it is up to us now to prove them wrong by doing well in Egypt.
"It is a great honour to play for your country and I was happy when it was confirmed that I am now in the team. I will take my chance and use it to enhance my career as well," said Mambare.
Warriors Squad:
Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi, Maxwell Nyamupangedengu.
Defenders: Lincolin Zvasiya, Partson Jaure, Augustine Mbara, Ocean Mushure, Hardlife Zvirekwi.
Midfielders: Denver Mukamba, Khama Billiart, Ovidy Karuru, Archieford Gutu, Abbas Amidu, Tafadzwa Rusike, Ronald Chitiyo, Silas Songani, Masimba Mambare.
Strikers: Knowledge Musona, Roderick Mutuma.
Source - TH
