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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
THE locally-based Warriors are this morning expected to start training for this weekend’s final qualifier of the 2016 African Nations Championship (Chan) against Lesotho at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo.

The Warriors need to beat Lesotho on Sunday if they entertain any hopes of qualifying for the Chan to be staged in Rwanda. The Chan is exclusively for players plying their trade in their respective countries’ domestic leagues.

Zimbabwe have never missed a Chan tournament since its inception in 2009 in Cote d’Ivoire. The Warriors went for the inaugural edition under Sunday Chidzambwa and then with Madinda Ndlovu in Sudan in 2011. On both occasions, they failed to progress to the knockout stages.

In the last edition held in South Africa last year, Zimbabwe, then under the guidance of Ian Gorowa, managed to finish fourth after losing to eventual winners Libya.

Warriors’ coach Callisto Pasuwa would definitely want to join the elite coaches and lead the team to the continental finals in style by getting a comfortable lead before the second leg to be played in Lesotho on the weekend of October 23-25.

Pasuwa has named a fairly balanced squad dominated by Castle Lager Premier Soccer League leaders Chicken Inn with five players.

The Gamecocks’ players, who are expected at the Warriors’ Luveve training ground this morning, are skipper Danny “Deco” Phiri, goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, defender Lawrence Mhlanga, midfielders Tafadzwa Kutinyu and striker Edmore Chirambadare.

Chirambadare is also the PSL’s joint leading goal scorer with Highlanders’ Knox Mutizwa on 11 goals. Mutizwa has, however, been overlooked for this assignment.

Bosso players called for duty are left-back Bruce Kangwa, central defender Teenage Hadebe and midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku.

Defending league champions Dynamos provided four players, striker Rodreck Mutuma, midfielder Ronald Chitiyo and defenders Blessing Moyo and Ocean Mushure.

Most of the players that Pasuwa has called have played for either the senior national team or the Young Warriors and are aware of the job at hand.

The home support will also be key in motivating the Warriors against a Lesotho side which knocked out Botswana in the last round courtesy of an away goals’ rule after posting a 1-1 second leg score line.

Zimbabwe made it into the final round of qualifying after the Warriors drew 0-0 in the Comoros to go through 2-0 on aggregate.

“We appeal to Bulawayo residents and the nation at large to come in their large numbers and support our national team on Sunday at Barbourfields Stadium. The team is already in camp at Glen Lodge in Bulawayo and training starts tomorrow morning. They will be training twice a day,” said Zifa spokesman Xolisani Gwesela.

The gate charges for the Warriors games are $3 for the rest of the ground, $5 for wings and VIP stand is $10.

Warriors Chan Squad:

Goalkeepers: Elvis Chipezeze (Chicken Inn), Takabva Mawaya (Hwange), Donovan Bernard (How Mine)

Defenders: Blessing Moyo (Dynamos), Hardlife Zvirekwi (Caps United), Bruce Kangwa (Highlanders), Ocean Mushure, (Dynamos) Teenage Hadebe (Highlanders), Lawrence Mhlanga (Chicken Inn), Justice Jangano (Caps United)

Midfielders: Tichaona Chipunza, Danny Phiri, Tafadzwa Kutinyu (Chicken Inn), Ronald Chitiyo (Dynamos) , Raphael Manuvire (ZPC Kariba), Malvern Gaki (Triangle) , Marshal Mudehwe (FC Platinum), Talent Chawapihwa (Harare City) Nqobizitha Masuku (Highlanders)

Strikers: Pritchard Mpelele (Hwange), Brian Muzondiwa (FC Platinum), Edmore Chirambadare (Chicken Inn), Roderick Mutuma (Dynamos)

Match officials: Waziri Sheha Sheha Waziri (referee), Samuel Hudson Mpenzu (first assistant), Alli Kinduli (second assistant), Martin Eliphas Sanya (fourth official)

NB: All referees are from Tanzania

Match Commissioner: William Makinati Shangwe (Swaziland)