Zimbabwe last country to name CHAN squad

Zimbabwe national team head coach Callisto Pasuwa has unveiled his squad of 23 ahead of this year’s Africa Nations Championships to be held in Rwanda.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Zimbabwe national team head coach Callisto Pasuwa has unveiled his squad of 23 ahead of this year’s Africa Nations Championships to be held in Rwanda.

Pasuwa, who had a difficult decision to drop four players following a spate of injuries that left his training squad depleted, made few surprises after dropping Harare City’s Talent Chawapihwa, FC Platinum striker Brian Muzondiwa, George Majika of Chicken Inn and Dynamos newboy, Tichaona Chipunza.

Harare City have provided the bulk of the players after the coach gave the thumbs up to striker Francisco Zekumbawira, William Manondo and the quartet of new signings - Ronald Chitiyo, Farai Madhananga, Blessing Moyo and Raphael Manuvire.

Champions Chicken Inn and Dynamos have four players each in the squad with the Gamecocks’ latest acquisition Moses Demera also getting a place.

There were also places too for Rodreck Mutuma, Joel Ngodzo, Edmore Chirambadare, Elisha Muroiwa, Stephen Makatuka, Bruce Kangwa, Ocean Mushure and Gerald Takwara.

Zvirekwi is the only survivor from the group that played at the last edition in South Africa when Zimbabwe finished fourth. The Warriors are scheduled to arrive in Kigali on Saturday morning. They are in Group D alongside Zambia, Uganda and Rwanda.

Meanwhile, Uganda and Cameroon played out a goal-less draw in their final build-up before the CHAN 2016 finals tournament, which starts on Saturday in Rwanda.

Like the first build up game three days earlier against Gabon, the game on Wednesday was played behind closed doors in Njeru town.

Coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic’s side remained unchanged like they started in the first build up with Gabon that ended 1-1.

Warrior’s squad

Goalkeepers: Elvis Chipezeze (Chicken Inn), Tatenda Mukuruva (Dynamos), Donovan Bernard (How Mine)

Defenders: Stephen Makatuka (CAPS United), Blessing Moyo (Harare City), Bruce Kangwa (Highlanders), Ocean Mushure (Dynamos), Elisha Muroiwa (Dynamos), Lawrence Mhlanga (Chicken Inn), Hardlife Zvirekwi (CAPS United), Farai Madhananga (Harare City)

Midfielders: Nqobizitha Masuku (FC Platinum), Ronald Chitiyo (Harare City), Raphael Manuvire (Harare City), Marshall Mudehwe (FC Platinum), William Manondo (Harare City FC), Gerald Takwara (FC Platinum), Joel Ngodzo (CAPS United FC)

Strikers: Rodreck Mutuma (Dynamos), Edmore Chirambadare (Chicken Inn), Francisco Zekumbawira (Harare City FC), Knox Mtizwa (Highlanders FC), Moses Demera (Chicken Inn).