The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
Players who are in camp for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) are not discouraged by the possibility of the country being banned from international football.
The impasse between the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) and ZIFA has now spilled into the corridors of world soccer governing body, FIFA, who last week instructed the SRC to reinstate the suspended ZIFA board by January 3.
Failure to do so will result in the country being banned from international football.
However, the off-the-field politics have not distracted the Warriors, who started trooping into camp on Thursday and are set to begin training today.
All the South Africa-based players are now in camp, and the duo of Prince Dube and Bruce Kangwa, who are based in Tanzania, have also reported for duty.
They all joined local players who were the first ones to join camp on Thursday.
Spain-based goalkeeper Martin Mapisa was scheduled to arrive late yesterday, while United States-based defender Teenage Hadebe, who has been in the country for the holiday, is sorting out some family issues in Bulawayo.
Warriors manager Wellington Mpandare also confirmed the unavailability of Khama Billiat, who the national association has been trying to persuade to reverse his decision to quit international football.
“Khama Billiat will not be available and we will respect his decision. We want to thank him for the time he played for the national team, helping the team qualify for three consecutive AFCON finals.
“However, the door will remain open to him for future assignments,” said Mpandare.
The Warriors will train for three days before departing for Cameroon on Wednesday. This is when the travelling 23 players will be unveiled. Skipper Knowledge Musona, Tino Kadewere, Jordan Zemura, Admiral Muskwe and David Moyo will fly direct to Cameroon.
Zimbabwe play their opening match against Senegal on January 10.
Negotiations are currently underway between the ZIFA secretariat and Sudan for a possible friendly match in Cameroon on January 2.
“The players are concentrating on making it into the final 23, and no one is worried about the possible suspension by FIFA.
“We have never talked about that and will never discuss those things in camp.”
Mpandare also shed light on Hadebe’s situation.
“Teenage (Hadebe) has issues at home, which he is attending to.
“I will talk to him again today (yesterday) to find out how he is handling his delicate situation.”
While Zimbabwe are yet to secure a sparring partner, Malawi, who are in the same group with the Warriors at the finals, are camping in Saudi Arabia and have confirmed a friendly match against Mali on Thursday. The Flames are also set to play Comoros on January 4.
Malawi will get their AFCON campaign underway with a date against 2019 finalists Senegal on January 10.
They will then face Guinea, who named a 27-man squad that includes Liverpool linkman Naby Keita last week.
Paul Pogba’s brother Florentin is also part of the squad.
Most of the players in the Guinea squad ply their trade in French Ligue 2.
Warriors provisional squad
Goalkeepers: Petros Mhari (FC Platinum), Martin Mapisa (FC Zamora), Talbert Shumba (Free State Stars), Taimon Mvula (Dynamos)
Defenders: Peter Muduwa (Highlanders), Alec Mudimu (Torpedo Kutaisi), Takudzwa Chimwemwe (Nkana), Jordan Zemura (AFC Bournemouth), Tapiwa Sibanda (Cranborne), Godknows Muriwa, Frank Makarati (Dynamos), Gerald Takwara (Venda Football Academy), Teenage Hadebe (Houston Dynamo), Bruce Kangwa (Azam), Onismor Bhasera (Supersport United)
Midfielders: Temptation Chiwunga (JDR Stars), Kelvin Madzongwe (FC Platinum), Bill Antonio (Dynamos), Thabani Kamusoko (Zesco United), Never Tigere (Azam), Kudakwashe Mahachi (Supersport United), Shepherd Mhlanga (Chicken Inn), Ishmael Wadi (JDR Stars), Panashe Mutimbanyoka (FC Platinum)
Forwards: Admiral Muskwe (Luton Town), Knox Mutizwa (Golden Arrows), Prince Dube (Azam), David Moyo (Hamilton Academical), Knowledge Musona (Al Tai), Tinotenda Kadewere (Olympique Lyonnais)
