‘No Afcon squad surprises’
By Ishemunyoro Chingwere
Warriors coach Callisto Pasuwa has ruled out any surprise inclusions when he announces his Africa Cup of Nations training squad.
The national team gaffer is expected to announce an enlarged squad this week as preparations for next month’s continental showcase go up a gear.
With the Premier Soccer League season done, focus is now firmly on Pasuwa amid expectations in some quarters that he will include some players who were not involved in the qualifiers. However, the 46-year-old coach says he cannot fix what is not broken.
Speaking after he met Zifa’s High Performance Committee in Harare on Thursday, Pasuwa hinted at keeping faith in the players who secured Zimbabwe the third Afcon ticket.
“We are yet to finalise the initial squad but we have been working on it for a while now,” he said.
“However, if you want to get an idea of who will make it, the best I can tell you for now is we are mainly looking at the players who participated in the qualifiers.
“We are looking at every eligible Zimbabwean footballer, so maybe one or two who did not play in the qualifiers will make the squad but I don’t think there will be any surprises.”
The coach, together with team manager Sharif Mussa, briefed the High Performance Committee on their proposed training programme as well as preferred friendly matches.
Pasuwa emphasised the need for adequate preparations to the committee which is chaired by Zifa vice president Omega Sibanda.
Zifa have lined up at least five matches ahead of the finals with Ivory Coast, Sudan, South Africa, Libya and Mali, among those lined up to give the Warriors a run prior to the finals. However, Pasuwa said he will be content with at least two matches.
The decision to settle for at least two friendly matches may have been influenced by the need to minimise the risk of players picking up injuries ahead of the Afcon finals.
“The meeting between the High Performance Committee and the technical team went on very well,” said Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela.
“It was emphasised that the committee is not there to interfere with the coach’s work but to act as a bridge between the coach and the association.
“The coach also used the meeting to reiterate the need to have adequate camping time and our hope is the team will troop into camp on December 22, a date that the coaches are happy with.
“You are aware we are in discussion with a number of associations to secure friendly matches but the coach said he will be happy if he gets at least two.”
Pasuwa has been consistent in his team selection with goalkeepers Tatenda Mukuruva and Donovan Bernard always getting the nod regardless of their club form.
South African-based goalie Washington Arubi was called up for the qualifier against Guinea but his error-prone performance in that 1-all draw did not warrant a recall.
In defence, Czech-based Costa Nhamoinesu, Onismor Bhasera, Teenage Hadebe, Castle Soccer Star Hardlife Zvirekwi and Lawrence Mhlanga are guaranteed tickets to the Afcon finals.
Caps United left back Ronald Pfumbidzai, who started the first qualifier away to Malawi before falling down the pecking order, could also be in with a chance to make the final squad after a brilliant PSL season.
The Warriors are in Group B along with Algeria, Tunisia and Senegal. The Sunday Mail
