By Grace Chingoma
HARARE – Nation Dube will be taking charge of the Young Warriors at the Africa Games in Congo, Brazzaville, next month. This follows revelations by the Sports Commission that outgoing Warriors coach Callisto Pasuwa was never part of the delegation.
The Young Warriors are part of Team Zimbabwe at the continental games from September 4 to 19.
It has emerged that Pasuwa was already omitted from the accreditation process conducted some two months ago.
Team Zimbabwe Chef de Mission Joseph Muchechetere yesterday said they had already been instructed by ZIFA to accredit Dube instead of Pasuwa, who was also doubling up as the Warriors coach.
“About two months ago, ZIFA had already withdrawn Pasuwa from African Games delegation and they had replaced him with Nation Dube,” said Muchechetere.
“They said Pasuwa would be having a game on September 6 with the national team against Guinea in Harare and could not be both in Harare and Brazzaville.
“So, by the time we finalised papers for accreditation, they had already withdrawn him. I personally spoke to him last month during a fitness training at ZIFA Village and enquired why his name was not on the list.
“And he just confirmed what ZIFA had said though we had felt that he could have joined Team Zimbabwe later.”
Muchechetere said Team Zimbabwe was expected to go into camp on August 26 -27 in Harare and then travel to Congo Brazzaville on 31 August.
“We should be in Brazzaville by 1 September if we go the normal route, that is, the commercial airlines.
“This will also mean we would be in a position to allow athletes, who would have finished competing, to come back early whenever they finish.
“But the travel arrangements can change if we are able to charter Air Zimbabwe. We are still working on the cheaper option.”
The Young Warriors were drawn in the same group with hosts Congo-Brazzaville, Sudan and Burkina Faso. There are likely to be some changes in the squad as three of the players — Thomas Chideu, Ronald Pfumbidzai and Tinotenda Kadewere — have secured contracts outside the country.
Meanwhile, ZIFA spokesperson, Xolisani Gwesela, said they were still in the dark about Pasuwa’s decision to leave his job.
“We have no official communication that he has quit the job and I cannot comment through media reports. Even Gorowa (Ian) did that, so we can only act with official communication and after that the board can sit to deliberate on the matter,” he said.
Young Warriors Squad
Lawrence Mhlanga, Wisdom Munashe Mutasa, Takabva Mawaya, Malvern Gaki, Pritchard Mpelele, Donovan Fungai Bernard, John Gerald Tungamirai Takwara, Blessing Sasha Moyo, Tatenda Marshal Mukuruva, Munyaradzi Nyenye Diro, Thomas Bright Chideu, Philana Tinotenda Kadewere, Tafadzwa Russel Kutinyu, Liberty Chakoroma, Teenage Lingani Hadebe, Ngobizitha Masuku, Carlos Rodwell Rusere, Tatenda Marshal Mudehwe, Tapiwa Ronald Pfumbidzai, Emmanuel Kuda Mandiranga. The Herald
