He bemoaned the fact that many talented Zimbabwean footballers play for top European clubs and are not being considered for national duty.
“I have talked to some of these players, who think they are not being considered because the coaches know nothing about them,” said Chitando. “Some believe the coaches are too scared to call them because they fled hardships here.”
Bradley Pritchard, who plays for English Championship side, Charlton Athletic, was called in by Warriors coach, Rahman Gumbo, for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burundi. However, he did not play, as he holds a British passport. He can only play for The Warriors after acquiring a Zimbabwean passport.
Chitando, who believed that Pritchard could have easily fitted into the national team, also said there were more exiled quality players waiting on the wings, including the Sheffield Wednesday duo, Cecil Nyoni and Ingo Madinda Ndlovu Juniour, Galway United’s Oscar Sibanda, Mikaeel White of Barnet, and Farai Hallam of Stevenage as some of those stars.
There is also the Poland-based duo of Ndabenkulu Ncube and Peter Nzerumbaye of Klub Sportowy.
“These players are all 23-years-old and below and can play for our junior and senior national teams, but they are not being considered. The coaches need to spread their wings,” said Chitando.
Post published in: Football