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Petros Kausiyo Harare Bureau
WARRIORS coach Callisto Pasuwa was left crying foul after the senior team’s preparations once again got off to a poor start with just six senior team players taking part on the opening day of training at Rufaro yesterday ahead of their African Cup of Nations clash against Guinea.

The Warriors will host the Sylie National in a 2017 Nations Cup Group qualifier at Rufaro on Sunday and Pasuwa had been hoping to hit the ground running in terms of training arguing that Guinea will be a much tougher proposition than Malawi whom they beat 2-1 in their first assignment.

But the coach had to make do with having five local players and only Czech Republic-based defender Costa Nhamoinesu during the afternoon training session.

With broke Zifa leaving it until late to start running around for air tickets, it meant that the bulk of the foreign legion were still holed up in South Africa for much of the day again while the pair of Knowledge Musona and Matthew Rusike were still at their European bases.

Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela said the tickets had eventually been dispatched yesterday afternoon with those from South Africa expected to arrive last night while Musona and Rusike are due in at lunch time today.

A Good Samaritan came to the association’s aide to help them secure the tickets and also pay for the tickets and accommodation of the match officials.

He also helped Zifa to pay duty for the kit, to be used by the Warriors, during their preparations and for the match.

“South African-based players will jet in tonight at 20:45hrs. Knowledge Musona, Matthew Rusike, will arrive tomorrow at noon, Czech based Costa Nhamoinesu has already reported for camp,” said Gwesela

With the bulk of his players nowhere in sight, Pasuwa was forced to arrange two training sessions for the re-arranged Young Warriors side that was set to leave for the African Games in Congo Brazzaville at dawn.

Dynamos talisman Ronald Chitiyo, the Chicken pair of goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze and striker Edmore Chirambadare, Justice Jangano of Caps United and Nhamoinesu were among the senior players who joined the Young Warriors for the afternoon training.

But that scenario did not amuse Pasuwa who felt let down by the administration.

“Definitely, I’d have wanted the guys to be in camp by Monday. I’m here at training and I’m just waiting for the rest of the senior players but we have been working out with the Young Warriors.

“The situation is for the administration to sort out.

“Some of the players we called up have never played together hence I needed them to have more time of training but it seems we will have to see how best we can work with the few days that we have,’’ Pasuwa said.

With Zifa insisting that the bulk of the players were due in last night, the Warriors preparations should move a gear up this morning with their morning sessions tentatively set for Gwanzura.

Zifa have also revealed that they will not increase the entry fees for the Warriors showdown with Guinea with the cheapest ticket being pegged at $3 while the VIP area will cost $10 and the Upper grand stand $5.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (University of Pretoria), Elvis Chipezeze (Chicken Inn)

Defenders: Hardlife Zvirekwi (Caps United), Erick Chipeta (Chippa United ), Liberty Chakoroma (Free State Stars), Milton Ncube (Ajax Cape Town) Costa Nhamoinesu (Sparta Prague), Patson Jaure (University of Pretoria), Justice Jangano (Caps United)

Midfielders: Willard Katsande (Kaizer Chiefs), Danny Phiri (Chicken Inn), Khama Billiat (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kuda Mahachi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Raphael Manuvire (ZPC Kariba) Ronald Chitiyo (Dynamos)

Strikers: Edmore Chirambadare (Chicken Inn), Knowledge Musona (KV Oostende), Mathew Rusike (Halmstads BK), Nyasha Mushekwi, Cuthbert Malajila (Mamelodi Sundowns).