The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
Warriors coach Ian Gorowa last week sounded out a number of foreign-based players as he began preparations for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Zimbabwe get the campaign underway with a trip away to Tanzania’s Taifa Stars in a fortnight.
Gorowa wasted little time as he immediately put his shoulder to the wheel as soon as he sealed an agreement to continue as the national team coach until the end of the 2015 campaign with Zifa.
Team manager Shariff Mussa disclosed that the gaffer spoke to highly-rated Sparta Prague defender Costa Nhamoinesu, Charlton Athletic midfielder Bradley Pritchard and the rampaging Edward Sadomba who stars for Libyan champions Al Ahly Benghazi, before heading out to South Africa for personal business.
“We are talking to a number of players and basically what we are seeking to do is establish if they are ready to play for the national team as well as what they expect from us in terms of communication and travel logistics.
“In the past we have had problems with Costa because his club seems to value him a lot. Each time we contact them they promise to release him but in the end he doesn’t come.
“However, we are confident that this time everything will come out well.
“We also had a chat with Sadomba and Pritchard and both players have said they are ready to serve their country,” said Mussa.
There had been fears that Pritchard, a central midfielder, would turn his back on the Warriors after flying all the way from the UK and being overlooked by then national team gaffer Rahman Gumbo.
Many felt that Pritchard, a key member of English Championship side Charlton Athletic, was not given a fair crack at making a claim for the Warriors jersey.
However, the 28-year-old appears intent on having a dance with the national team.
Last month he disclosed that he had spoken with Gorowa and Zifa president Cuthbert Dube.
He wrote on his Facebook wall: “I spent about 2 and a half hours chatting to Cuthbert Dube and Ian Gorowa.”
Nhamoinesu has had another stellar season at Sparta Prague and his availability will offer Gorowa experience at the back.
Sadomba, whose goals and assists have propelled Al Ahly Benghazi into the group phase of the CAF Champions League, has not enjoyed his time in Warriors colours.
However, the former Dynamos star, who is also wanted by African football aristocrats Al Ahly of Egypt, does not make a secret about his desire to play for the national team.
But with Fifa having confirmed that clubs do not have to release players for the first rounds of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers as the dates of the four matches fall outside of the world soccer governing body’s match calendar, questions are hanging over the availability of Sadomba for the tie against Tanzania in a fortnight.
Duduza will be in Caf Champions League action during the same weekend that the Warriors will be in Tanzania and the chances of Benghazi releasing their talisman are slim.
Gorowa is this week expected to also check on the fitness of Belgian-based striker Nyasha Mushekwi.
Mushekwi, who currently plays for KV Oostende on loan from South African Premier Soccer League club Mamelodi Sundowns, was reported to be injured a few weeks ago.
Kaizer Chiefs’ workaholic and Kick Off Player of the Season award favourite Willard Katsande as well as his teammates Kingstone Nkhata and Knowledge Musona are in line for call-ups.
Hustling Ajax Cape Town striker Simba Sithole and on-fire Mpumalanga Black Aces forward Tendai Ndoro are proven strikers that Gorowa would probably like to have a closer look at.
Mamelodi Sundowns hotshot Khama Billiat’s persistent injuries are a cause for concern, but the flying winger headlines a cast of promising wide players that include the Danish-based duo of Quincy Antipas and Silas Songani as well as Ovidy Karuru.
With the Afcon qualifiers coming against the backdrop of a largely successful CHAN 2014 outing, a number locally based will be confident of getting call-ups.
The centre back pairing of Eric Chipeta and Partson Jaure remains a viable option although it will be difficult to overlook Carlington Nyadombo who is in top form at Amazulu in South Africa.
The return to full fitness of FC Platinum and former Young Warriors skipper Qadr Amini, another natural left back, could also widen Gorowa’s choices.
The national team coach is also a fan of Highlanders utility man Milton Ncube who had a good Chan outing at left back.
Gorowa should have a positive headache over the goalkeeping position where skipper Washington Arubi, Supersport United-bound giant ’keeper George Chigova, Caps United’s Tafadzwa Dube and Bosso’s Munyaradzi Diya are all in good shape.
