Warriors troop into camp

Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter 

PREPARATIONS for the crucial upcoming Afcon 2025 Qualifiers have gone a gear up as Warriors players today start travelling to Uganda from their different bases.

Zimbabwe will play away to Kenya at Mandela National Stadium in Uganda on Friday before they host Cameroon at the same venue four days later. 

Like Zimbabwe, Kenya does not have a Caf-certified stadium to host international matches and they have settled to play in Uganda. 

The game against Uganda will mark new coach, Michael Nees’ first assignment for the Warriors.

Most of the foreign-based players and the local contingent are leaving their bases today to arrive in Kampala, Uganda tomorrow.

Zifa competitions manager, Simbarashe Gochera said they expect a majority of players to be in camp tomorrow.

“We have players travelling to Uganda from their different bases today and arriving on Monday. We will then have a briefing and team-building session so the players get to know each other. The players will also have a light travelling recovery session before they start proper training on Tuesday,” said Gochera.

The squad to do duty sees Washington Arubi who is making a return to the national team set-up facing competition from Donovan Bernard and young Marley Tavaziva who plays for Brentford in England.  

Upfront, striker Prince Dube who has been in top form in Tanzania is also back in the national team. 

The striking department is completed by Tinotenda Kadewere (FC Nantes), Douglas Mapfumo (Polokwane City), Prince Dube and Obriel Chirinda (Ngezi Platinum). 

There is no place in the team for Marvelous Nakamba who only returned to action last Tuesday and played 45 minutes for his Luton Town outfit in the Carabao Cup.

Zifa have set gate prices for their home match with the VVIP at 100 000 Shillings (US$27), VIP 50 000 Shillings (US$14) and Rest of Ground 15 000 Shillings (US$4).

The US$1 is worth 3,722 Ugandan Shillings.

Warriors Squad

GOALKEEPERS: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford), Bernard Donovan (Chicken Inn)

DEFENDERS: Gerald Takwara (Al Minaa SC), Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle), Munashe  Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders), Godknows Murwira (Caps United), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Teenage Hadebe

MIDFIELDERS: Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims), Andy Rinomhota (CardiN City), Jordan Zemura  (Udinese), Walter Musona (Simba Bhora), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants), Brian Banda (FC Platinum), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Richard Hachiro (Ngezi Platinum), Khama Billiat (Yadah Stars), Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

FORWARDS: Tinotenda Kadewere (FC Nantes), Douglas Mapfumo (Polokwane City), Prince Dube (Young Africans), Obriel Chirinda (Ngezi Platinum). –  @innocentskizoe.