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Callisto Pasuwa

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
WARRIORS’ coach Callisto Pasuwa yesterday named a 32-men squad ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) set for Rwanda from January 16 to February 7.

The dates for the Warriors’ camp will be announced next week when the new Zifa board assumes office. The Zifa elections will be held in Harare tomorrow.

Pasuwa retained all the players that participated in the final qualifier of the tournament against Lesotho.

The squad has 10 of the 11 Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year finalists, with only veteran Clemence Matawu missing.

The 10 Soccer Stars in Pasuwa’s provisional squad, which will be trimmed to 23, are Triangle United’s Hillary Bakacheza; Chicken Inn’s quartet of Elvis Chipezeze, Danny “Deco” Phiri, Clemence Matawu and Edmore Chirambadare; Stephen Makatuka from Caps United; Raphael Manuvire of ZPC Kariba; Dynamos’ duo of Tatenda Mukuruva and Ocean Mushure; FC Platinum’s Brian Muzondiwa and Knox Mutizwa of Highlanders.
Mutizwa is also the league’s top marksman and could miss out on the trip to Rwanda if he makes the grade at Bidvest Wits where he is attending trials.

Joel Ngodzo, who has rediscovered his yesteryear form at Caps United, has also found his way into the squad.

Pasuwa also included Flame Lily’s duo of defender Farai Madhananga and striker Moses Demera.

Exciting Chicken Inn winger George Majika has been given a chance to charm the national team gaffer.

In naming his squad, Pasuwa said some of the players are have knocks and would want to assess them before leaving for the tournament.

“I have fears over possible injuries considering that the players are coming out of a high intensity season. Some players have injuries and we need to manage their fitness carefully as they are entering pre-season. It’s our wish as Zimbabwe to progress to the final and have a good run in the tournament,” said Pasuwa.

Zimbabwe were put in Group D with northern neighbours Zambia, Mali and Uganda.

Pasuwa said they need to adequately prepare for their games, describing their group as tough.

“We need to prepare adequately as this group is tough. All these teams have a large number of locals representing their senior teams in their Afcon qualifiers. They are well organised and have solid structures,” he said.

Warriors’ squad
Goalkeepers: Elvis Chipezeze (Chicken Inn FC), Tatenda Mkuruva (Dynamos FC), Takabva Mawaya (Hwange FC), Donovan Bernard (How Mine FC)

Defenders: Stephen Makatuka (CAPS United FC), Blessing Moyo (Dynamos FC), Bruce Kangwa (Highlanders FC), Ocean Mushure (Dynamos FC), Elisha Muroiwa (Dynamos FC), Teenage Hadebe (Highlanders FC), Lawrence Mhlanga (Chicken Inn FC ), Hardlife Zvirekwi (CAPS United FC) Farai Madhananga (Flame Lily FC)

Midfielders: Nqobizitha Masuku (Highlanders FC), Tichaona Chipunza (Chicken Inn FC), Ronald Chitiyo (Dynamos FC), Raphael Manuvire (ZPC Kariba FC), Tafadzwa Kutinyu (Chicken Inn FC), Goerge Majika (Chicken Inn FC), Marshall Mudehwe (FC Platinum), William Manondo (Harare City FC), Danny Phiri (Chicken Inn FC), Gerald Takwara (FC Platinum), Joel Ngodzo (Caps United FC) Hilary Bakacheza (Triangle United FC)

Strikers: Pritchard Mpelele (Hwange Colliery FC), Rodreck Mutuma (Dynamos FC), Edmore Chirambadare (Chicken Inn FC), Brian Muzondiwa (FC Platinum), Francisco Zikumbawire (Harare City FC), Knox Mtizwa ( Highlanders FC), Moses Demera (Flame Lily FC)

CHAN 2016 draw
Group A: Rwanda, Gabon, Morocco, Cote d’Ivoire
Group B: DR Congo, Angola. Cameroon, Ethiopia
Group C: Tunisia, Nigeria Niger, Guinea
Group D: Zimbabwe, Mali, Uganda, Zambia