facing his injury-plagued team and insisted that he would make do with the resources at his disposal.
Mapeza is expected to name an 18-man side that will fly out at dawn tomorrow for an African Nations Cup Group A clash with Mali in Bamako on Saturday night.
The coach has not had the best of the build-ups to the training camp, which began at the National Sports Stadium yesterday with four key players unavailable due to injuries.
Striker Knowledge Musona and defenders Onismor Bhasera, Noel Kaseke and Gilbert Mapemba are all out because of injuries.
Another player whom Mapeza had called for camp, Dynamos defender, David Kutyaurpio is doubtful after the right back told the team management that his passport had expired.
Yesterday Kutyauripo trained with the team at both sessions and is hopeful of getting the travelling document in time for departure.
Team manager Shariff Mussa said he was not amused by Kutyauripo while Mapeza also shared the same sentiments.
Mussa said Kutyauripo should have long sorted his passport issue before coming to training as he was putting the technical team in a difficult situation.
“People should not come to the national team and then try to sort out their issues.
“He should have sorted that a long time ago because now he puts us in difficult situation,” said Mussa.
Mussa was also disappointed that FC Platinum midfielder Bekhi Ncube has failed to report for training by the end of the day yesterday and could as well be dropped from the travelling party.
Mapeza said Kutyauripo should have long raised the issue although the coach was equally optimistic that everything will be sorted out before their departure.
Kutyauripo had been called up as a cover for Kaseke and Mapemba. who also indicated that he will not be able to come for the Battle in Bamako after picking out an injury while turning out for his club in Cyprus.
However, Mapeza was still hopeful of getting the right man for the job.
“I think we will just have to do with the resources available.
“These are the players at our disposal and we have to make do with them.
“We are not going to make any more changes to the squad right now,” said Mapeza.
There were 18 players at the training session in the morning with three goalkeepers competing for the two slots. Washington Arubi, Tapuwa Kapini and Edmore Sibanda reported for camp while skipper Method Mwanjali also led the troops from South Africa.
Veteran midfielder Tinashe Nengomasha, striker Nyasha Mushekwi, midfielder Khama Billiart and defender Thomas Sweswe were part of the players in camp yesterday morning at the National Sports Stadium B arena.
Forward Benjamin Marere who missed the chance to play at the African Nations Championships in Sudan due to an injury has now recovered and is hopeful of getting place in the team.
Marere recently joined FC Platinum who had already secured Norman Maroto and Daniel Veremu also in the national team camp.
Gunners left back Qadr Amini, Dynamos defender Guthrie Zhokinyi, Archieford Gutu and Denver Muka-mba were also at the training ground.
The pair of Belgian based Ovidy Karuru and Cuthbert Malajila came to camp early while the squad was later boosted by the arrivals of Justice Majabvi and Edward Sadomba in the afternoon.
The former Dynamos duo had failed to make it for the morning training while Vusa Nyoni is expected to arrive today. After watching his charges go through the paces yesterday, Mapeza said he was pleased with the way the players had responded.
“As for the training, so far everything worked well. There are no injuries worries on those players in camp,” said Mapeza.
The Warriors coach noted that it would not be an easy match in Bamako as Mali were also a tough nut to crack.
“Its going to be difficult.
“But we have an objective to fulfil.
“We are going there on a mission and this is what we are telling the players that we have to get a positive result,” said Mapeza.
Mapeza is also drawing confidence from the team of 2003 who went to Bamako in June under very difficult conditions but managed to escape with a 0-0 draw.
“Yes, we travelled to Mali under difficult conditions back then.
“But the good thing was that we managed to come out with a positive result and this is the same result we are aiming for,” Mapeza said.
In June 2003, the Warriors nearly abandoned their campaign in 2004 Nations Cup qualifiers after encountering hiccups on their trip to Mali.
Zifa struggled to raise funds for the trip until the government bailed them out by chartering a plane to Bamako and the Warriors defied the odds by holding out for a crucial point.

You Might Also Like

Comments