The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
THE 2018 edition of the Cosafa Cup begins this afternoon in Polokwane, South Africa but the Warriors start their defence of the regional tournament next Sunday in the second round stage of the tournament.
The tourney, which will feature all the 14 Cosafa affiliates this year, kicks off with a tie between Madagascar and Mozambique at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Zimbabwe faces Group B winners in the quarterfinals.
Despite missing some of the foreign players, particularly British-based footballers who failed to acquire Zimbabwean passports in time, Warriors coach, Sunday Chidzambwa said they are looking forward to a fruitful tournament.
He revealed they are eager to defend the title they won last year and will fight to maintain their grip the cup.
“We are the defending champions and opponents are obviously going to seek to upstage us at every turn but we are ready to fight to the end.
“I think at the moment we don’t have to worry about those who did not get passports but look at those who are available,” said Chidzambwa adding he will be announce his final travelling squad on Wednesday.
Warriors manager, Wellington Mupanare however confirmed the presence of the other foreign based players saying the majority had reported for camp.
South African based goalkeepers, George Chigova and Edmore Sibanda, Pirates’ midfielder, Marshall Munetsi, Ovidy Karuru, Evans Rusike and Talent Chawapiwa had reported for duty with Tino Kadewere, Khama Billiat and Costa Nhamoinesu set to join camp on Tuesday together with captain, Knowledge Musona although he is undergoing treatment.
He said they will be leaving for Polokwane on Thursday.
Mpandare said locally based players who had joined them had been released from camp over the weekend to do duty for their respective clubs but are expected back in the capital tomorrow (Monday).
Zifa had engaged the Sports and Recreation Commission to assist them secure Zimbabweans passports United Kingdom-based players but the mission could not be concluded in time.
Players who ply their trade in the United Kingdom and had been called up for duty include Kelly Lunga (Bonner SC), Admiral Muskwe (Leicester City), Macaulley Bonne (Leyton Orient), Andy Rinomhota (Reading), Kundai Benyu (Oldham Athletic), Adam Chicksen (Bradford city), Tendayi Darikwa (Nottingham Forest) and Alec Mudimu (CEFN Druids).
Mpandare said Cosafa had presented Chidzambwa with the best chance to assess the players for long term plans as Zimbabwe prepares for the Afcon qualifiers in September.
He said they are still making plans to have a friendly match in the UK that would enable Chidzambwa to watch the players in action.
Zimbabwe holds the record for most wins at the Cosafa Cup after defeating Zambia 3-1 last year to win it for the fifth time. Before last year’s victory, Zimbabwe had won the cup in 2005 in Mmabatho, again beating Zambia in the final, and once more in 2009 when Chipolopolo were again the victims. In 2003, the Warriors easily beat Malawi in the decider while in 2000 they got the better of Lesotho.
The tournament starts with eight teams divided into two groups for the opening week of competition with the two group winners then advancing to the knockout quarterfinal stage where they are joined by the top six ranked nations, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho and Namibia.
Madagascar and Mozambique, who have both threatened to upset the odds at recent tournaments, kick-off proceeding in Sunday’s opening game, followed by an island derby between the Comoros Islands and Seychelles, also in Group A.
Group B matches start tomorrow with Angola, who have won the competitions three times, taking on Botswana while Malawi squares off against Mauritius.
There are two matches every day from Sunday through to Friday.
ZIMBABWE COSAFA CUP RESULT RECORD
P W D L F A
Home 19 12 3 4 31 16
Away 33 21 8 4 63 22
Total 52 33 11 8 94 38
