Young Warriors coach Callisto Pasuwa has stuck with the bulk of the side that qualified for the African Games, adding just three foreign-based professionals in the squad that will face South Africa in an African Under-23 Championships final qualifier at Rufaro next weekend.
Zimbabwe and South Africa square off in the first leg of the final qualifier for the African Championships which will later take place in Dakar, Senegal in December.
The eight-nation championships in Senegal will then determine who will represent Africa at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil.
Pasuwa, taking cognisance of the importance of the showdown against South Africa, yesterday kept faith with the side that battled under difficult conditions to overcome Cameroon and book a place at the African Games in Congo Brazzaville, September.
The former Dynamos coach, however, has sought to strengthen his side by calling on the talents of Mamelodi Sundowns winger Kuda Mahachi, who is expected to headline the search for victory, and midfielder Marvelous Nakamba who plies his trade with Vitesse in the Dutch top-flight.
Denmark-bound left wingback Ronald Pfumbidzai has also been included in the side, but team manager Sharif Mussa, who released the squad, said yesterday they were still trying to persuade the player’s management team and his new club to allow him to play the July 19 battle first then leave soon after the encounter.
Mussa said they had also included the FC Platinum pair of skipper Wisdom Mutasa and striker Walter Musona who are currently on trials in Slovakia on the basis that there had been indications that they could return home in time for the match.
“We are expecting everyone who is local to be in camp by lunchtime on Monday so as to start the training programme later in the afternoon. The players who are currently outside the country should be arriving on Monday night or Tuesday night.
“I have spoken to them but still awaiting further confirmation. We have sent a letter to Pfumbidzai’s management and we are waiting to hear from them on whether he is leaving this Sunday (tomorrow) or will be available ,’’ Mussa said.
After missing out on the Young Warriors last three outings because of club commitments, Musona will be hoping that FC Platinum will agree to let him feature for the national youth team before he rejoins them for Premiership duties.
The Young Warriors technical crew, which also includes assistants Saul Chaminuka, Nation Dube and goalkeepers’ coach Richard Tswatswa, was happy to receive news that Highlanders striker Thomas Chideu is back in the country after undergoing a trial stint with Ajax Cape Town in South Africa.
Chideu, playing in his debut season in the domestic Premiership, flew back home on Wednesday night amid indications from the player’s manager Gibson Mahachi that he appears to have acquitted himself well during the trial stint with the Urban Warriors.
But Ajax Cape Town are only expected to announce their official position on the player in the next few days.
With South Africa having named strong side the Young Warriors have sought to do the same but it will only become clearer on Tuesday morning whether the local clubs will not present Pasuwa with headaches by holding onto their players.
The 44-year-old coach who is also the Warriors gaffer has had to be content with picking at least two players only from a club for the senior team’s African Nations Championships qualifiers.
But for the clash against Amaglug-glug, Pasuwa has retained the bulk of the side that did duty against Cameroon and Swaziland but included some of the players like in-form Bosso striker Knox Mutizwa who has been leading the Highlanders attack lately and Dynamos goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva.
There were places too for speedy Triangle winger Malvin Gaki, the versatile Blessing Moyo who, however, has not seen much game time at DeMbare, Highlanders defender Teenage Hadebe who is on the wish list for Ajax Cape Town and an as yet unnamed Belgian club as well as rising CAPS United goalkeeper Chris Mverechena.
Young Warriors squad:
Tatenda Mukuruva, Blessing Moyo, Carlos Rusere (Dynamos) Teenage Hadebe, Nqobizitha Masuku, Thomas Chideu, Knox Mutizwa (Highlanders), Marshal Mudehwe (FC Platinum), Lawrence Mhlanga, Raphael Kutinyu (Chicken Inn), Donovan Bernard, Mgcini Sibanda (How Mine), Chris Mverechena, CAPS United, Philana Kawedere (Harare City), Pritchard Mpelele (Hwange), Jimmy Konono (Whawha) Farai Madhananga (Flame Lily) , Gerald Takwara (Tsholotsho), Malvin Gaki (Triangle), Wisdom Mutasa, Walter Musona (FC Platinum) Kuda Mahachi (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa) , Marvelous Nakamba (Vitesse, Netherlands), Ronald Pfumbidzai (Hobro IK, Denmark).