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The Zimbabwe national Five-a-Side team will play host to Sudan in the   first leg of the Futsal World Cup qualifier on the weekend of 6-8 April in Harare and the country’s two leagues — Northern and Southern — are expected to provide players.
Three countries will represent Africa at the finals set for Thailand in November.

Michael Musagwiza, spokesman for the Southern Region, said coaches met and shortlisted the two retired footballers for the position of technical advisor.
The coaches were from the following clubs: Binga United, Khalanyoni, Far East Bombers, Fox, Ampha, Classic FC, Toronto, Nust, Otrick Spares, ALCC, Bovvisa and Shu-Shine.
“Basically the meeting was meant to select a regional technical   team as well as players who will fight for places in the national team. The coaches nominated Sawu and Choruma to be technical team advisors and now what we have to do is to talk to them and find out if they are available to help us.

“Time is running out for us to come up with the national team and we hope to get a favourable response from them,” Musagwiza said.
He said the coaches agreed to have people with experience in both five-a-side and the conventional 11-a-side football.
If Sawu and Choruma agree, they will work closely with Chance Moyo of Fox.

National University of Science and Technology’s Tholumusa Mkhwananzi is the region’s physical trainer.
The coaches also announced a 20-member squad that will go into the national team camp later this month.
Pint-sized former Shabanie Mine and Black Rhinos midfielder Max Ruza is the only prominent footballer in the Southern Region provisional squad.

Musagwiza appealed for the corporate world’s support.
“These players will have to go into camp and we are asking for donations from well-wishers and the business community. Our intentions are to cultivate team spirit and contribute as many players as possible to the national team,” Musagwiza said.

Futsal is at its early stages in Southern Africa with North African teams being the most dominant on the continent.
The last finals were won by the host nation Brazil in 2008 with Spain being champions in 2000 and 2004.

Squad
Goalkeepers: Zibusiso Ndlovu (Nust), Nehemiah McKay (Shu Shine), Petros Charedzera (Far East Bombers).
Defenders: Rennie Ndlovu, Mduduzi Ngwenya (both Fox), Prichard Masinanhike (Far East Bombers), Adrian Makwelo (Khalanyoni), Mthandazo Ndlovu, Irvine Ndoro (both Nust).
Midfielders: Peter Winceslaus (Shu Shine), Donovan Barclay (Ampha), Max Ruza (Zimplow), Prosper Gama, Ceasemore Ndlovu (all Nust).
Strikers: Carrington Banda, Brighton Tshuma (both Far East), Tama Nleya (Binga United), Brighton Mazenda (Classic FC), Isso Maphikane.