HARARE - ZIMBABWE'S Warriors are set to renew their rivalry with Ghana's Black Stars when they two sides clash in a group game at the ongoing African Nations Championships (CHAN) in Sudan. (Pictured: Madinda Ndlovu Warriors caretaker coach)
The Warriors have been grouped alongside Ghana who were the 2009 losing finalists, neighbours South Africa who will be fielding mostly their Under-23 players from Divisions Two and Three, as well as Niger. Zimbabwe were scheduled to take on Niger yesterday (Saturday) in their opening match at the tournament but the spotlight is likely to fall on their tussle with the Black Stars on Wednesday.
In the last edition in Ivory Coast, the Warriors, then under Sunday Chidzambwa, drew their three group games including the tie against Ghana, eventual champions the Democratic Republic of Congo and Libya. In their other meeting at the African Cup of Nations in 2006, the Warriors shocked a World Cup-bound Ghana by beating them 3-1.
The CHAN is designed exclusively for home based players and it remains to be seen how the Warriors will fare this time under Madinda Ndlovu who is caretaker coach. Ndlovu has gathered the best from the local league and added six youngsters from the Under-23 side as he seeks to build a team for the future.
Qadr Amin, Joel Ngodzo, Simba Sithole, Denver Mukamba, Arial Sibanda and Archieford Gutu all made the final cut to Sudan. Dynamos goalkeeper Washington Arubi was handed the skipper’s armband while tried-and-tested players like Daniel Vheremu, Gilbert Mapemba, Tafadzwa Dube, Guthrie Zhokinyi, Zephaniah Ngodzo and Charles Chiutsa also made the cut. Arubi has declared that he wants a gold medal from the championships.
Speaking at last Tuesday mornings training session at the National Sports Stadium B Arena, Ndlovu said his charges were ready for the challenge. They (the boys) are ready to take on anybody, any national team. They have tremendously improved in terms of fitness levels and their endurance is up- to-date,” he said.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi, Tafadzwa Dube, Ariel Sibanda
Defenders: Guthrie Zhokinyi, Daniel Vheremu, Ben Nyahunzvi, Nyasha
Mukumbi, Zephania Ngodzo, David Boriwondo, Quadr Amin, Gilbert Mapemba
Midfielders: Elvis Meleka, Erick Mudzingwa, Bhekimpilo Ncube, Denver
Mukamba, Archford Gutu, Charles Chiutsa, Brian Mapfumo, Joel Ngodzo
Strikers: Charles Sibanda, Clive Kawinga, Norman Maroto, Simba Sithole
Technical team
Head coach: Madinda Ndlovu, Assistant: Darlington Dodo, Goalkeepers
coach: Richard Tswatswa
Manager: Christopher Chitindi, Liaison officer: Edzai Kasinauyo, Kit
manager: Gift Mabvudza
Team Doctor: Nick Munyonga, Physiotherapist: Farai Muguwe
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News