eBusiness Weekly
Chipo Sabeta
Zimbabwean superstars among them captain Knowledge Musona, in-form Dalian Lifang forward Nyasha Mushekwi and Kaizer Chiefs’ Khama Billiat will be raring to go ahead of the 2019 Total African Nations Cup qualifier against Congo Brazaville on September 9 amid indications many top players were snubbed to represent the country.
Zimbabwe coach Sunday Chidzambwa named a 28-man provisional squad for trip to Congro Brazzaville last week and overlooked a bunch of gifted, high-profile soccer players for the September 9 clash.
The Group G leaders will travel to Congo enjoying the lead in Group G after crushing Liberia 3-0 in their opening match.
Some on the snubbed players include Denmark-based midfielder Silas Songani, ABSA Premiership man of the moment Knox Mutizwa.
Ronald Pfumbidzai of Bloemfontein Celtic was not in Chidzambwa’s initial set up but was roped into the Warriors provisional squad on Wednesday after a public outcry.
In-form Highlanders goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda, a player who has kept 10 clean sheets, is not part of the four selected goalkeepers.
Instead, Chidzambwa opted for Chapungu shot stopper Talbert Shumba, a side that has conceded a massive 26 goals in 22 matches so far.
While the likes of DRC, Liberia, have star-studded line-ups, it is often the team with the best chemistry that goes all the way in a group that also comprise of Liberia and Congo.
There is no place for former captain and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Willard Katsande.
Katsande was part of the four players banned by Zifa over discipline issues together with Matthew Rusike and Cuthbert Malajila.
Pfumbidzai took to twitter to express his upset.
“They might pretend not to like you but they know deep inside that you are the best. So don’t be stressed. Sometimes in life, there are things you can’t change. In God I trust,” he said. Pfumbidzai was, however, later roped into the squad.
The Business Weekly also traced Golden Arrows Mutizwa who confessed his disappointment but is optimistic of another national team call up.
“Yes obviously, I am disappointed. Everyone wants to play for the national team but I feel we have a strong team. I hope they will go and fight and come with a good results. I will continue working hard, I am certain my chance will come,” he said.
Sonderjyske midfielder Songani solely opted to wish the coaches and the team good luck.
“Despite the snub, I want to wish them the best. I understand the coach will pick his own players but playing in Europe must not be taken for granted. It’s a different level.
For footballers, the AFCON is an opportunity to unite under their nation’s banner and challenge themselves against the biggest powerhouses in the sport. We have to win the qualifiers,” he said.
Internationally the issue of player snub is also common. Belgian Radja Nainggolan ended his international career two months ago after Belgium Coach Roberto Martinez overlooked the AS Roma midfielder out of his squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
There was a world outcry when German winger Leeroy Sane’s was snubbed by Coach Joachim Low’ despite an excellent season for Manchester City in the 2017/18 and that ignited a public outcry.
Though past his prime, David Luiz was another notable absentee in Brazil’s squad at the World Cup.
Meanwhile, Warriors manager Wellington Mpandare confirmed that several players were injured.
“I can confirm that, out of the regular faces with the national team, Tinotenda Kadewere of French League 2 side Le Havre, Marvelous Nakamba and Teenage Hadebe are injured. We are monitoring Teenage who started full training. There is a danger in risking Ovidy Karuru who was injured at COSAFA. However, some of the players were given a chance but did not impress the coach,” he said.
Meanwhile, European-born based players have been ruled out of the tie due to complications in obtaining Zimbabwean passports.
The three players are Adam Chicksen (Bradford City, England), Tendayi Darikwa (Nottingham Forest, England) and Kelly Lunga who played for the Germany) fourth tier side SC Bonner had found his way into the team.
Most players born in England are not willing to renounce their British-citizenship to obtain local passports as required by Zimbabwean law but Mpandare confirmed that they were struggling to obtain dual citizenship for the players.
“It is certain that bulk of players who took part at the Cosafa Cup in June make up the squad. However, the Europe based players will not be coming due to issue beyond our control. We have done all we can since last year to ensure they obtain dual citizenship with little help from the responsible offices. The Sports Commission is fully aware of this issue. Our biggest hope was to get special consideration for dual citizenship from authorities. The Minister Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Kazembe Kazembe has not been forthcoming despite attempts to engage him,” he explained.
Zimbabwe provisional squad
Goalkeepers: George Chigova (Polokwane City, SA), Talbert Shumba (Chapungu FC), Donovan Benard (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Edmore Sibanda (Witbank Spurs, SA)
Defenders: Kevin Moyo (FC Platinum), Eric Chipeta (Cape Umoya United, SA), Divine Lunga (Golden Arrows, SA), Byron Madzokerere (Yadah FC), Teenage Hadebe (Kaizer Chiefs, SA) Alec Mudimu (Cefn Druids, Wales), Ronald Pfumbidzai (Bloemfotein Celtic).
Midfielders: Kudakwashe Mahachi (Orlando Pirates, SA), Leeroy Mavunga (Yadah FC), Khama Billiat (Kaizer Chiefs, SA) Marshall Munetsi (Orlando Pirates, SA), Talent Chawapiwa (Baroka FC, SA), Tafadzwa Kutinyu (Azam, Tanzania), SA), Richard Hachiro (Herentals FC), Liberty Chakaroma (Ngezi Platinum)
Forwards: Knowledge Musona (Anderlecht, Belgium), Tinotenda Chibharo (FK Sloboda Uzice, Serbia), Evans Rusike (SuperSport United, SA), Terrence Dzvukamanja (Bidvest Wits, SA), Nyasha Mushekwi (Dalian Yifang, SA).
