WARRIORS coach Valinhos has ringed just a few changes from the squad that faced Namibia in the African Nations Championship last Sunday but kept faith in the bulk of the team for the return leg in Windhoek next weekend.

In a squad released by the national teams’ general manager Sharif Mussa yesterday, the Warriors technical team axed Dynamos big forward Admire Dzukamanja and Kiglon captain Tawanda Nyamandwe.

Mussa said players based outside Harare are expected to arrive in camp tomorrow night while those from the capital should check in by 11 am on Monday at the latest with their valid travelling documents.

The duo of Dzukamanja and Nyamandwe were introduced in the last quarter of the game but failed to change the complexion in attack.

Pride Tarirenyika who was not used from the substitute’s bench has also been dropped for the return leg as Dynamos winger Benjamin Marere has been recalled to the locally assembled side.

Valinhos, with the assistance of David Mandigora and Brenna Msiska has extended an invitation to veteran midfielder Desmond Maringwa and CAPS FC’s Stephen Kahondo.

Maringwa had been considered for camp the last time but was injured during Dynamos’ 1-0 win over Etoile Sportive du Sahel in the African Champions League while Kahondo had failed to make it into the final 18.

Shooting Stars and Young Warriors defender Gift Kwaramba has been rewarded for a decent performance after he shut out Neo Makama of Lesotho during the African Youth Championship, by getting an invitation to train with the senior squad.

Valinhos was at Gwanzura to watch the Under-20 clash and should have been impressed by the young defender.

Highlanders’ goalkeeper Washington Arubi who kept goals has been retained as Chapungu’s Edmore Sibanda is still in the team while giant CAPS United goalkeeper Energy Murambadoro will also compete for the number one jersey.

Dynamic Motor Action midfielder Clement Matawu, who illuminated an otherwise dull game against the Namibians when he came from the bench could fancy his chances of getting a place in the starting line up.

Left sided utility players Zhaimu Jambo and Ovidy Karuru have both retained the confidence of the coaches while Justice Majabvi, David Kutyauripo, Edward Sadomba, Sam Mutenheri and Captain Gilbert Banda are set to fight to reclaim places in the starting 11 in Namibia.

Cuthbert Malajila and Tarisayi Nyamunamwendo who both struggled in the last game against the Namibians have been presented with another chance to prove their worthy in front of goals.

Mussa pointed out that the technical team maybe reviewing the composition of the squad after the first training session.

“So far we have 21 players who have been considered for training for the game against Namibia in Windhoek.

“This is what we have for now but the coach maybe making one or two additions depending with what he would have seen from the Premiership games over this weekend,” he said.

Mussa hinted that the technical team will not be entertaining any silly excuses from players who report late for camp.

“I must emphasise that out of Harare players should be coming to the team hotel at Cresta on Sunday night and we expect the Harare-based players in by 11 in the morning on Monday so that we start training in the afternoon.”

“I also advise all the players to report for camp with their valid travelling documents because we do not have time to run around, getting the necessary things in order.”

“Late comers will not be entertained,” said Mussa.

Provisionally, the Warriors should be training once on Monday, twice on Tuesday and twice Wednesday before the departure tentatively set for Thursday.

“The final 18 squad should be announced after the training on Wednesday.“

“Nothing has been set yet but if all goes well, the team should be leaving on Thursday and the game has been set for Saturday, May 17,” Mussa said.

“We have agreed with (PSL fixtures secretary Godfrey) Japajapa that there will be no league games and we will then want all the players to immediately return to their clubs once the national team is back on Sunday.”

“I am sure there should be some mid-week game and another league programme on the following weekend,” he said.

Valinhos is using the African Nations Championships assignments against Namibia to assess the locally based players he would need to fuse with the foreign-based professionals for the 2010 World Cup and Nations Cup qualifiers.

Mussa said Valinhos would announce the locally-based players he would like to blend with the foreign-based after the game against the Brave Warriors.

“After the Namibia game, the coach will announce the locally based players and the foreign professionals he would like in camp for the game in Conakry and for the month long hectic fixtures in June.

“I hope that the squad will be getting into camp on May 25 until we leave for Guinea,” he said.

The national teams’ general manager also called for more consented efforts from stakeholders to ensure that the national teams’ preparations remain on track.

Squad

E. Murambadoro, W. Arubi, E. Sibanda, D. Kutyauripo, Z. Ngodzo, Z. Jambo, S. Mutenheri, G. Banda, D. Veremu, T. Sweswe, G. Kwaramba, J. Majabvi, D. Maringwa, E. Meleka T. Nyamunamwendo, S. Kahondo, O. Karuru, E. Sadomba, C. Malajila, B. Marere, C. Matawu

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