All set for a second appearance at Nations Cup for the Warriors

By Tichaona Sibanda
27 December 2005

The national soccer team is expected to leave the country for France in two weeks time for a training session before heading to Egypt via Tunisia for Nations Cup finals.

Coach Charles Mhlauri on Monday released the names of a 30-man squad that would be trimmed to 23 before the Warriors jet out of the country. The players will start to assemble on Tuesday evening.

AJ Auxerre striker Benjani Mwaruwaru organised the squad’s two-week training camp. From France they will fly to Tunisia were they are expected to play an international friendly against Cameroon.

The Warriors are in Group D, dubbed ‘the group of death’ as it includes powerhouse nations such as Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria.

Former Caps United defender Frank ‘Dealer’ Nyamukuta said the training camp is a good strategy that will help the squad blend as a unit before the sporting extravaganza.

‘This is a good time for the players to get together, get to know each other pretty well. This helps a lot and you will see them perform beyond our expectations,’ said Nyamukuta.

The Warriors — who last assembled as a full squad in October before their trip to Abuja, Nigeria — will have their first training session scheduled for the National Sports Stadium tomorrow morning.

Nyamukuta also tipped the Warriors to reach the semi-finals of the tournament, basing his predictions on the fact that nations like Ghana, Nigeria and possibly Senegal will be missing some of their key players.

‘Most African players in the Premiership here (UK) have indicated their unwillingness to join their squads for fear of losing their positions in their clubs. Yakubu of Middlesbrough has already told officials in Nigeria that he would not be joining them, and so have a couple of other players,’ said Nyamukuta.

Warriors provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: T. Kapini (Highlanders), E. Murambadoro (CAPS United), G. Muzadzi (Buymore), W. Arubi (Lancashire Steel).

Defenders: H. Dick (Amazulu), J. Matola (Buymore), M. Mwanjali (Shabanie Mine), D. Mpofu (Bushbucks, SA), Z. Makonese (Santos, SA), G. Mbwando (SSV Jahnregensburg, Germany), C. Yohane (Wits University, SA), C. Chimedza (Germinal Beerschot, Belgium), E. Dinha (Orlando Pirates, SA), D. Choto (Legia Warsaw, Poland)

Midfielders: E. Nyandoro (Mamelodi Sundowns, SA), T. Nengomasha (Kaizer Chiefs, SA), J. Luphahla (SuperSport United, SA), E. Kasinauyo (Moroka Swallows, SA), R. Sibanda (Amazulu), F. Chandida (Buymore), L. Chitembwe (CAPS United), L. Muhoni (Black Rhinos), J. Ngodzo (Highlanders).

Strikers: B. Badza (CAPS United), B. Mwaruwari (AJ Auxerre, France), S. Kawondera (Unattached), M. Temwanjira (FK Javor, Serbia Montenegro), P. Ndlovu (Mamelodi Sundowns,SA), G. Mushangazhike (China), J. Ngwenya (Los Angeles Galaxy, US).