Benjani blasts omission from Zimbabwe squad

Zimbabwe’s national team captain Benjani Mwaruwari has criticised the logic behind his being dropped from the national team by caretaker coach Norman Mapeza.

Mapeza dropped the former Portsmouth and Manchester City striker from his 36-member squad for the beginning 2012 Africa Nations Cup campaign arguing he did not have a club, had not played competitive football and would not be match fit.

“I am surprised with my exclusion. If I am not mistaken, all South African based players who have been called have not been playing because their league had not yet commenced, so who has been playing?” Benjani queried.

“There are a number of players that have been called for national duty who have not been playing because their leagues have not started.  Like I said I have to respect his decision as the head coach,” Mwaruwari said.

Further baffling Benjani is the fact that Mapeza did not inform him of his decision. Benjani who has been training with Blackburn Rovers with a view to securing a deal, only found out about his axing on the internet.

“To begin with neither (Norman) Mapeza nor any Zifa officials phoned me to find out on my recent form or career prospects. I last met Mapeza two months ago in South Africa, from that time onwards, we never communicated. I have nothing personal with Mapeza, which means that I have to respect his decision to drop me from the squad.”

“Mapeza is the caretaker coach as of now; I know how it is to be appointed a caretaker coach. You will be trying to prove yourself; hence you always go for people who you think will do duty for you diligently.”

“As I speak I am training with Blackburn Rovers but I have three teams that are after my signature.  I am still weighing to see which club to join. So by Monday I will be in position to tell which club I’m joining? As for my fitness, I am very much fit for the game.” Mwaruwari said.

Zimbabwe provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: W Arubi (Dynamos), T Dube (Gunners), M Nyamupanedengu (Kiglon),

Defenders: G Zhokinyu (Dynamos), D Vheremu (Gunners), G Banda (Highlanders), G Mapemba (CAPS United), Z Ngodzo (Highlanders), N Mukumbi (CAPS United), Q Amini (Gunners), J Kapenya (Hwange)

Midfielders: A Rambanepasi (Dynamos), W Katsande (Gunners), E Mudzingwa (Highlanders), B Marere (Dynamos), R Mteki (Black Mambas), B Ncube (Motor Action), A Sadiki (Gunners), A Gahadzikwa (Motor Action)

Strikers: N Maroto (Gunners), E Gwekwerere (Dynamos), C Sibanda (Motor Action),

Foreign Contingent : M Mwanjali (Mamelodi Sundowns), T Sweswe (Kaizer Chiefs), N Kaseke (AC Amona), O Bhasera (Plymouth Arglye), C Nhamoinesu (Zaglebie Lubin- Poland), J Majabvi (Lask Linz, Austria), L Mtizwa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Q Antipas (Sonderjysk E- Denmark), C Matawu (Polonia Bytom- Poland), K Musona (Kaizer Chiefs), E Sadomba (Al-Hilal-Sudan), T Rusike (Ajax Cape Town-SA), N Mushekwi (Mamelodi Sundowns), C Malajila (Club African)