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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Sports Reporter
THE Warriors technical team has deferred announcement of the squad to face Ghana in the back-to-back Fifa World Cup qualifiers next month to next week Monday, as they await confirmation of the availability of British and United States-based players.

Defender Teenage Hadebe, who plays for Major League Soccer side Houston Dynamo in the United States, is the only player in interim coach Norman Mapeza’s plans from that country, while four players based in the United Kingdom could be part of the Ghana encounter if negotiations between Fifa and the British government for lifting of travel restrictions yield positive results.

“Announcement will now be done next week, most likely on Monday. The delay has been necessitated by the UK and United States-based players, who are still waiting for the position from their governments on quarantine issues. We are, however, in touch with them (players),” said national teams’ general manager Wellington Mpandare.

There are six players based in the UK that have been part of the Warriors’ squad led by Aston Villa midfielder Marvellous Nakamba.

There is Bournemouth defender Jordan Zemura, who has been on top of his game for the second tier club this season, forward Admiral Muskwe from Luton Town, defender Tendayi Darikwa of Wigan Athletic in the third tier league, striker Macaulay Bonne, who turns out for Ipswich Town in the same league, and another defender Brendon Galloway of Plymouth Argyle.

Jonah Fabisch

Judging from Mapeza’s tone in Tuesday’s interview with Chronicle Sport, not every member of the British brigade will make the cut, including Jonah Fabisch, who is based in Germany with Hamburger SV in the 2.Bundesliga.

He said his philosophy was to give players enjoying game time an opportunity to represent their country, regardless of whether they play locally or outside the country.

Being based outside the country, Mapeza said, won’t be an automatic ticket to don the national team jersey as has previously been the norm.