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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
GOLDEN boot winner and Highlanders hitman Knox Mutizwa has been handed the armband for the Warriors following the ineligibility of regular skipper Danny ‘Deco’ Phiri to travel with the team to the fourth edition of the African Nations Championship due to injury.

Mutizwa, who will be on loan to the Bulawayo giants from Bidvets Wits of South Africa for the first half of the season, will now lead the troops from the field as they seek to lift their maiden Chan Championship, having been regular participants at the tournament since its inception in 2009.

Mutizwa broke the news of his latest responsibility on his Facebook page on Saturday.

“It seems it’s going to be my year again , Knox captain of Zimbabwe Chan national team,” he wrote.

When Chronicle Sport contacted Mutizwa yesterday, he revealed his excitement but said he was taken by surprise when the technical team led by head coach Callisto Pasuwa announced the news.

“I was really taken by surprise myself as I wasn’t expecting it, however it has always been my dream to one day captain my country and this has now been fulfilled,” said Mutizwa who graduated from the Under-23 national squad together with a number of the players in camp for the Rwanda tournament that roars into life on January 16.

Meanwhile, Zifa are still hopeful of getting a friendly match for the Warriors, most likely against Mozambique ahead of departure for the tournament on January 10.

“We’ve put our proposals to Mozambique and we’re still waiting for their response. I’m sure by tomorrow we could be in a position to know with certainty whether we’ll play them or not,” said the Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela yesterday.

Zimbabwe begin their hunt for continental dominance on January 19 against neighbours Zambia with their next match against Mali coming four days later.

They wind up the group matches against Uganda on January 27.

Rwanda 2016 Chan Fixtures

All times CAT (SA, GMT+2)

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Rwanda v Cote d’Ivoire, Amahoro, Kigali:15:00

Gabon v Morocco, Amahoro, Kigali:18:00

Sunday, January 17, 2016

DR Congo v Ethiopia, Stade Huye: 15:00

Angola v Cameroon, Stade Huye: 18:00

Monday, January 18, 2016

Tunisia v Guinea, Stade Régional de Nyamirambo: 15:00

Nigeria v Niger, Stade Régional de Nyamirambo: 18:00

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Zimbabwe v Zambia, Rubavu: 15:00

Mali v Uganda, Rubavu :18:00

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Rwanda v Gabon, Amahoro, Kigali: 15:00

Morocco v Cote d’Ivoire, Amahoro, Kigali: 18:00

Thursday, January 21, 2016

DR Congo v Angola, Stade Huye: 15:00

Cameroon v Ethiopia, Stade Huye: 18:00

Friday, January 22, 2016

Tunisia v Nigeria, Stade Régional de Nyamirambo: 15:00

Niger v Guinea, Stade Régional de Nyamirambo: 18:00

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Zimbabwe v Mali, Rubavu:15:00

Uganda v Zambia, Rubavu:18:00

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Morocco v Rwanda, Amahoro, Kigali:16:00

Cote d’Ivoire v Gabon, Stade Huye:16:00

Monday, January 25, 2016

Ethiopia v Angola, Amahoro, Kigali: 16:00

Cameroon v DR Congo, Stade Huye: 16:00

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Guinea v Nigeria, Rubavu: 16:00

Niger v Tunisia, Stade Régional de Nyamirambo: 16:00

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Zambia v Mali, Stade Régional de Nyamirambo: 16:00

Uganda v Zimbabwe, Amahoro, Kigali: 16:00

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Winner Group A v Runner-up Group B, Amahoro, Kigali: 15:00

Winner Group B v Runner-up Group A, Stade Huye: 18:00