Ndoro, Rio join Warriors

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CHICKEN Inn striker Tendai Ndoro heads a list of players that have been added to the Warriors squad to face Mauritius in the return leg of the African Nations Championship (Chan) at Rufaro Stadium this Sunday.

CHICKEN Inn striker Tendai Ndoro heads a list of players that have been added to the Warriors squad to face Mauritius in the return leg of the African Nations Championship (Chan) at Rufaro Stadium this Sunday.

REPORT BY HENRY MHARA

The country’s leading marksman in the league with 11 goals and scorer of a double against Lesotho in the Cosafa Championships, did not travel to the Indian Ocean Island as he was on trials in South Africa.

Stand-in team manager Patrick Mutesva yesterday confirmed that Ndoro was back in the country and will be part of the squad that starts training this morning ahead of the match.

Highlanders midfielder Peter “Rio” Moyo has been called, with Triangle left-back Blessing Chimwamuchere being handed his first national team call-up.

Caps United striker Dominic Chungwa, dropped at the last minute from the travelling crew to Mauritius due to complications with travelling documents, has also been included.

The player who replaced him on that trip, Last Chibwiro of Black Mambas, being dropped and so has Buffaloes defender Prosper Matizanadzo.

Mutesva said Ocean Mushure and Ronald Chitiyo, who were dropped from the team that went to Beau Bassin due to injuries, had been given more time to recover.

The Warriors, who carry what looks like a healthy 3-0 first leg lead, arrived in the country on Tuesday night. They were given a day off yesterday to participate in the national general elections.

Coach Ian Gorowa went to South Africa and will be expected in the country this morning in time for his team’s morning training session at the National Sports Stadium (NSS). The team will train at the match venue in the afternoon session.

Mazivisa got a brace and Simba Sithole scored his maiden goal for the Warriors in Mauritius to give Gorowa a perfect start as senior national team coach.

Zifa have announced the gate charges for the match. The cheapest ticket has been pegged at $3 while the “upper grand stand” ticket will cost $10.

The VIP ticket will be $20.

The match will mark the return of the Warriors to Rufaro Stadium, a venue that has been seen by many as the team’s favourite hunting ground.

Zifa has in recent times preferred the giant NSS over the Mbare stadium for World Cup qualifiers, where the Warriors have always struggled.

The Warriors briefly returned to Rufaro for a friendly match against Botswana in February, but were back at the NSS for the World Cup qualifier against Egypt in June. Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze hinted that the Warriors’ last World Cup qualifier against Mozambique would be played at Rufaro.

Zimbabwe is likely to face Zambia in the Chan final qualifier with Chipolopolo poised to advance to the next round after getting a 1-1 draw in Botswana in the first round first leg. The two countries will be meeting in Lusaka this weekend in the reserve fixture and if Chipolopolo advance, they will set-up a possible meeting with the Warriors, a team they beat 2-0 in the Cosafa Cup final last month.

Meanwhile, Mauritius were expected into the country last night aboard a South African Airways flight.

Warriors Squad: Goalkeepers: Munyaradzi Diya, Tafadzwa Dube Defenders: Hardlife Zvirekwi, Patson Jaure, Augustine Mbara, Felix Chindungwe, Eric Chipeta, Blessing Chimwamuchere Midfielders: Tawanda Muparati, Masimba Mambare, Devon Chafa, Charles Sibanda, Silas Songani, A Sadiki, Peter Moyo Strikers: Simba Sithole, Dominic Chungwa, Milton Ncube, Nelson Maziwisa, Tendai Ndoro.