WARRIORS chief striker Knowledge Musona will miss both legs of Zimbabwe’s 2015 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) first round qualifier against Tanzania as he is still recovering from an injury sustained during the African Champions League match against AS Vita on March 29.
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The Kaizer Chiefs medical team had revealed that the Zimbabwean international would be out of action for the rest of the South African soccer season.
However, team manager Bobby Motaung clarified Musona was still recovering from the injury and could not play now.
“Knowledge can’t do anything right now. He needs six weeks to recover and that will be some time in June or July,” he said.
Mamelodi Sundowns striker Khama Billiat could be available as he was due to take part in his team’s defining match against SuperSport United last night.
Warriors coach Ian Gorowa has been forced to delay naming the 24-member squad which was scheduled to begin camp this week because of the uncertainty over the availability of some of the foreign-based players after world soccer governing body Fifa issued a statement ruling that the opening round matches of the 2015 Afcon qualifiers fell outside the dates reserved for international matches.
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That means clubs are not obliged to release players for qualifying rounds and the Warriors coach will now have to call up the majority of the home-based players who played at the Chan tournament.
The Warriors are now scheduled to begin camp on May 11.
Team manager Sharrif Mussa said: “The coaches have said the team is not yet ready because we might have some withdrawals from those we have been talking to. The coach now needs to make some adjustments before the team is announced.”
Gorowa and the Warriors will make the trip to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for the May 18 first round first leg clash before hosting them in Harare in two weeks’ time. They will be hoping to qualify for the continental soccer show piece to be staged by Morocco.
Should the Warriors win against Tanzania they will face the winner between Mozambique and South Sudan and if they advance, they will join neighbours, Zambia, Niger and Cape Verdé in Group E.
