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Petros Kausiyo Harare Bureau
AS has seemingly become the norm, Warriors coach Callisto Pasuwa would have to grapple with yet another problem as the senior team resumes preparations for their African Nations Championships qualifier against Comoros with the gaffer losing some of the heroes of the first leg encounter.

The Warriors are set to fly out to Comoros for the second leg of their preliminary round clash against the Indian Ocean islanders on Saturday.

But they will be without several key players who featured in the first leg at Rufaro two weeks ago including Hwange striker Evans Rusike who scored the opener for them after 11 minutes.

Rusike left yesterday for a 10-day trial stint at South African Premiership outfit Maritzburg United.

Pasuwa has in fact had to assemble a fresh squad that should gel between today and Friday after it emerged that he will also be without Highlanders striker Thomas Chideu, Buffaloes’ Liberty Chakoroma, and midfielder Wisdom Mutasa of FC Platinum because they will be on trials.

Dynamos talisman Ronald Chitiyo is also set to leave the country tomorrow for an as yet unnamed destination.

Even if Chitiyo does not travel tomorrow for trials, Dynamos have already indicated they would not be releasing their key midfielder for the trip to Comoros.

Warriors team manager Shariff Mussa, who announced the revised squad list however, said yesterday the coach was hopeful the players coming in as replacements would measure up to the task.

Mussa said they were aware that a number of local players would around this period be engaged in various trial stints in search of professional careers outside the country and the Warriors “can’t stand in their way’’.

The Warriors manager however said their plight was being compounded by the fact that there would be Premiership matches on the same weekend which the senior team would be in Comoros.

“We really appreciate the support we’ve already been receiving from the PSL as a national team. But at the time the PSL fixtures will be continuing while we’ll be in Comoros and the clubs have been reluctant to release players. We can only get two at most from each club because they want their players for the league games.

“Dynamos for example have said they’ll release Carlos Rusere and Blessing Moyo but will keep Tatenda Mukuruva and Ronald Chitiyo and we’ve called up another goalkeeper Tatenda Munditi from Harare City.

“We hope that from the 20 players that we’ve called up, their clubs will not make a U-turn and say they want them back,’’ Mussa said.

Chicken Inn left back Devine Lunga has already been ruled out by injury while Caps United’s Denmark-bound Ronald Pfumbidzai is also unavailable.

Mussa said in juggling with his squad, Pasuwa had also considered some of the players who have featured for the Cosafa squad and the national Under-23 side that is chasing a 2016 Olympic dream.

“The majority of the players have at some stage played together. It’s a pity that those that will be going on trials will not be with us but it’s for their livelihood and they also need our support.

“Those that’re coming in just need to stay composed and show their character. It’s their chance to showcase their talent and prove that they deserve to be in there. If you look closely you’ll see that most of the players have been involved in the Under-23 team, Chan and the Afcon and that we’re trying to build something using them.

“So we’ve got basically Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to prepare and hopefully there’ll be no mid-week PSL fixtures.

“If arrangements for the charter plane are still on for Friday, that should give us those three days to get our act together. I’ve been in touch with the players and they should be in camp by tonight,’’ Mussa said.

While Mussa and Pasuwa were trying to assemble the squad that will do duty in the second leg, Zifa were by yesterday still grappling with securing government support for a charter flight to take the Warriors in time for Saturday’s match.

Zifa spokesman Xolisani Gwesela said they had met with Sport and Recreation Commission officials for further negotiations for the government’s assistance to secure a charter flight for the match.

It emerged at the weekend that while Air Zimbabwe were agreeable to lease a plane to Zifa for the trip, the national airline wanted a government guarantee given the broke football association’s financial status.

“We’re working closely with the government . . . we’d a meeting today with SRC and Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture officials and we underscored the importance of a charter flight in view of the fact that there aren’t many commercial flights to Comoros and we can’t afford to have the Warriors being walked over,’’ Gwesela said.

Victory for the Warriors will set them up for a final qualifier against the winner between Lesotho and Botswana to determine who will proceeds to the Chan finals in Rwanda next January.

The Warriors 2-0 first leg win ensured that they stay on course for a fourth successive Chan appearance and there are genuine fears that it is their flight arrangements more than events on the pitch that could actually scupper Pasuwa’s dream to become the fourth coach after Sunday Chidzambwa in 2009, Madinda Ndlovu (2011) and Ian Gorowa last year to lead Zimbabwe at the tournament.

Warriors Squad:

Donovan Bernard, Tatenda Munditi, Mguni Sibanda, Danny Phiri (captain), Edmore Chirambadare, Lawrence Mhlanga, Blessing Moyo, Pritchard Mpelele, Carlos Rusere, Nqobizitha Masuku, Teenage Hadebe, Marshal Mudehwe, Emmanuel Mandiranga, Justice Jangano, Philana Kadewere, Farai Madanhanga, Ralph Kawondera, Marlvin Gaki, Gerald Takwara, Jimmy Konono.