Nyandoro to captain Warriors

National team general manager revealed yesterday that Nyandoro would captain the team in the absence of skipper Benjani Mwaruwari. The England based striker who turns out for Manchester City has been ruled out of the tie with ZIFA restricting the fixture to players who are plying their trade in ABSA Premiership in South Africa. “Esrom will captain the team in the absence of Benjani. The coach has chosen him to stand in for him for this particular match,” said Mussa. CAPS United defender Method Mwanjali captained the home based players during the Cosafa Senior Challenge tournament which Zimabwe went on to win 3-1 against neighbours Zambia in November last year.

Before the retirement of the legendary Peter Ndlovu, he had suggested to the technical team that he wanted Nyandoro to take over as Warriors captain but the then coach Charles Mhlauri decided it was time to hand over the arm band to Benjani. South Africa is using the friendly match which will take place at the Moses Madiba Stadium to gauge the strength of its squad ahead of the June FIFA World Cup finals the country is hosting. The squad chosen by Chidzambwa features some of the country’s finest football talent, blending youth and experience and includes eight South Africa-based players. Kaizer Chiefs’ pair of Jaimu Zhambo and Thomas Sweswe, Platinum Stars goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini, Ajax Cape Town midfielder Archieford Gutu, Free State striker Kingstone Nkatha as well as Pretoria University and former Hwange captain Obert Moyo complete the contingent of the South African based stars to face Bafana Bafana.

Warriors squad – Goalkeepers: Tapuwa Kapini (Platinum Stars), Edmore Sibanda (CAPS United).

Defenders: Obert Moyo (Pretoria University), Thomas Sweswe, Zhaimu Jambo (Kaizer Chiefs), Zephaniah Ngodzo (Highlanders), Method Mwanjali, Gilbert Mapemba (CAPS United).

Midfielders: Ashley Rambanapasi (Dynamos), Archieford Gutu (Ajax Cape Town), Tafadzwa Rusike (CAPS United), Thabani Kamusoko (Njube Sundowns), Benjamin Marere (Dynamos).

Strikers: Tawanda Nyamandwe (Monomotapa), Knowledge Musona (Kaizer Chiefs), Cuthbert Malajila (Dynamos).

Technical Team: Sunday Chidzambwa (coach); Norman Mapeza (assistant coach); Sharrif Mussa (team manager), Thompson Matenda (fitness trainer); Nathan Makanza (team doctor).