THE national football team, Taifa Stars Head Coach Charles Boniface
Mkwasa, has said his team had little time to prepare, but was adamant
they will go for a win when they face host Zimbabwe in a friendly match
in Harare tomorrow.
Stars left yesterday for Zimbabwe
optimistic ahead of their international friendly encounter against ‘The
Warriors’ to be played at the National Sports Stadium.
Mkwasa said few hours before the team’s
departure yesterday afternoon that despite having only a single day to
train together, his squad is ready for the clash.
Stars contingent left without Azam FC
central defender, David Mwantika, who is injured. “With an exception of
Mwantika (David), who is injured, all other selected players in the
squad are in good shape ready for the match,” he said.
Mkwasa said that they are taking the
game seriously and they are looking for positive results as it is
crucial for the improvement of Stars in the next Fifa rankings, which
will be released on November 24th, this year.
Taifa Stars dropped 12 positions to
settle 144th in the previous released ranking, while Zimbabwe moved two
places up to 110th. The Warriors have not been in action recently but
have continued to progress on the latest rankings which is quite
different to Taifa Stars.
The squad which left the country for
Zimbabwe comprises goalkeepers: Deogratius Munishi, Said Kipao and Aishi
Manula. Defenders are Erasto Nyoni, Michael Aidan, Mwinyi Haji, Mohamed
Hussein, James Josephat and Vicent Andrew.
Midfielders: Himid Mao, Mohammed
Ibrahim, Jonas Mkude, Muzamiru Yassin, Abdulrahman Mussa, Shiza Kichuya,
Simon Msuva and Jamal Mnyate. Strikers are Ibrahim Ajib, John Bocco,
Mbwana Samatta, Elius Maguli, Omar Mponda and Thomas Ulimwengu. Zimbabwe
alias ‘The Warriors’ will utilise the game as part of its preparations
for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Gabon early next year.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe foreign based
players jetted into the camp ahead of the friendly international tie
against Taifa Stars. Only two players Khama Billiat and Bruce Kangwa
were yet to join the camp by end of day yesterday as the Warriors’
preparations got underway.
The duo were expected to join the rest
of the team later. Warriors head coach Callisto Pasuwa has opted to go
for a blend of local and foreign based players for the clash against
Tanzania, as he works to finalise his squad for AFCON 2017.
Squad: Goalkeepers: Donovan Bernard,
Tatenda Mukuruva, Nelson Chadya, Defenders: Onismor Bhasera, Hardlife
Zvirekwi, Bruce Kangwa, Lawrence Mhlanga, Teenage Hadebe, Tendai Ndlovu
and Oscar Machapa.
Midfielders: Willard Katsande, Marvelous
Nakamba, Marshall Mudehwe, Raphael Kutinyu, Danny Phiri, Kudakwashe
Mahachi, Khama Billiat and strikers Knowledge Musona, Mathew Rusike,
Tendai Ndoro, Cuthbert Malajila, Philana Kadewere and Nyasha Mushekwi.
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