The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
AFTER huffing and puffing their way to a goalless draw against South Africa in a 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifier played at the National Sports Stadium on Friday, the chances of the Zimbabwe Warriors finding the target against Ethiopia on Tuesday are looking slim with striker Tinotenda Kadewere unlikely to feature against the East Africans.
Zimbabwe face Ethiopia in their second World Cup qualifier at the Bahir Dar International Stadium, in Bahir Dar on Tuesday searching for their first three points after playing out a 0-0 draw with neighbours South Africa on Friday.
The draw with Bafana Bafana came at a huge cost for the Warriors as Kadewere suffered a thigh injury that could see him miss the match Ethiopia. Kadewere, who plays for French club Olympique Lyonnais was replaced in the 58th minute by Terrence Dzvukamanja of Orlando Pirates.
Kadewere travelled with the rest of the Warriors squad that has been reduced to 22 players after the FC Platinum duo of Silas Songani and William Stima were left behind since their team is preparing for a Caf Champions League fixture against G.D. Sagrada Esperança of Angola on Saturday. Before the Warriors departed for Ethiopia, team manager Wellington Mpandare indicated that they were waiting for MRI scan results to determine Kadewere’s injury.
“Tino is injured so we’re waiting for MRI scan results,’’ said Mpandare.
Should Kadewere be ruled out of Tuesday’s match, that will leave coach Zdravko Logarusic with few options to deploy upfront. Perfect Chikwende and Dzvukamanja are the only choices he could turn to while skipper Knowledge Musona, Khama Billiat and Kudakwashe Mahachi are the others who could provide the goals for the Warriors.
Zimbabwe were second best against South Africa as the home team only had one shot on target while the visitors had three precise shots.
Friday’s result leaves Zimbabwe in third spot with Ghana, who defeated Ethiopia top the group after they defeated Ethiopia 1-0 at home while South Africa are second. The Warriors departed from Harare yesterday, spent a night in Addis Ababa before they proceed to Bahir Dar today.
WARRIORS SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Talbert Shumba (Free State Stars), Martin Mapisa (Zamora CF)
Defenders: Onismor Bhasera (SuperSport United), Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns), Takudzwa Chimwemwe (Nkana), Alec Mudimu (Torpedo Kutaisi), Godknows Murwira (Dynamos), Kevin Moyo (Nkana)
Midfielders: Blessing Sarupinda (Sekhukhune United), Jonah Fabisch (Hamburger SV), Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims), Tafadzwa Rusike, Thabani Kamusoko (Zesco United), Kudakwashe Mahachi (SuperSport United), Khama Billiat (Kaizer Chiefs), Perfect Chikwende (Simba SC), Ishmael Wadi (JDR Stars), Farai Madhanaga (Marumo Gallants),Knowledge Musona (captain, Al-Tai)
Strikers: Terrence Dzvukamanja (Orlando Pirates), Tinotenda Kadewere (Olympique Lyon)
— Twitter @Mdawini_29
