HARARE -WARRIORS caretaker coach Madinda Ndlovu and his troops go into camp this afternoon to begin preparations for the African Championship of Nations finals to be held in Sudan between February 4-24. Ndlovu’s new look 30-man squad has however torched controversy after he left a number of regulars and key players who have been consistent in the just ended season for their respective clubs while including unknown quantities including defender Munyaradzi Mungadzi who stars for Division One outfit ZISCO Steel. Madinda who now appears set to continue in his capacity in the absence of a substantive coach axed a number of regulars, who have been performing brilliantly in the domestic premiership, and brought in some surprise faces.
It appears big CAPS United goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda, good enough to be first choice in all the qualifying rounds of the Chan tournament, was the biggest casualty by Ndlovu after he was overlooked for selection. Sibanda equally good on deadball situations scored five goals last season from free kicks, quite a rare feat for a goalkeeper. Despite his heroics, Sibanda was dropped. Ndlovu instead named four goalkeepers Washington Arubi, Tafadzwa Dube, Hwanges Timothy Sibanda And Ariel Sibanda Of Highlanders in the squad with three of them expected to make the final team for Sudan.
CAPS United skipper Nyasha Mukumbi and consistent Dynamos centreback George Magariro were also ignored by Ndlovu. The former Warriors winger however defended his selection. “We can not call up every one into camp. At the moment we are concentrating on those called but as long as a player is Zimbabwean, he will get his chance, and prove his worthy in the team,” said Ndlovu.
Zimbabwe are making their second successive appearance, in as many Chan competitions, having made their debut in the inaugural tournament in Cote dIvoire last year. Ndlovu, however, mindful of the need for consistence retained the Dynamos pair of defender Guthrie Zhokinyi and forward Benjamin Marere, CAPS United right back Gilbert Mapemba, Gunners left back Qadr Amin, Mighty Bulls midfielder Bhekimpilo Ncube, who took part in the Chan qualifiers.
Squad:
Goalkeepers
W. Arubi (Dynamos), T. Dube (Gunners), T. Sibanda (Hwange) A. Sibanda (Highlanders)
Defenders
D. Kanye (CAPS United), G. Zhokinyi (Dynamos), D. Veremu (Gunners), B. Nyahunzvi (Black Mambas), D. Boriwondo (Hwange), G. Mapemba (CAPS United), Z. Ngodzo (Highlanders), Q. Amin (Gunners), M. Mungadzi (Ziscosteel), A. Chivheya (Lengthens)
Midfielders
C. Chiutsa (Monomotapa), E. Mudzingwa (Highlanders), A. Amidu (Black Mambas), B. Ncube (Motor Action), I. Madziva (Black Mambas), B. Marere (Dynamos), J. Ngodzo (Highlanders), D. Mukamba (Kiglon), T. Sambo (Shooting Stars), A. Gahadzikwa (Motor Action), E. Meleka (Gunners)
Strikers
N. Maroto (Gunners), C. Sibanda (Motor Action), F. Kanda (Highlanders), S. Sithole (Shooting Stars).
Post published in: Athletics