Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE victorious Warriors will not be breaking camp ahead of their African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifier second leg tie against Lesotho in Maseru on Sunday. The Warriors beat Lesotho 3-1 in the first leg encounter at Barbourfields Stadium last Sunday and will remain in camp in Bulawayo until their departure for the mountain kingdom on Thursday or Friday.
Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela said the team’s camp would continue in Bulawayo as they bid to make a fourth straight appearance at the Chan finals set for Rwanda from January 16 to February 7. “The squad is not breaking camp and preparations for the return leg will continue,” said Gwesela.
After last Sunday’s tie, head coach Callisto Pasuwa had expressed his desire to continue with camp as he was eager to see Zimbabwe going through to the finals. Yesterday, assistant coach Saul Chaminuka said they were likely to call up some new faces as some players that played against Lesotho have some knocks.
“A number of the boys are carrying knocks. Players like Blessing Moyo and Rodrick Mutuma have injuries and we have to take precautions. I’m sure if you call us tomorrow (today) morning we’ll be able to give you a list of the new guys joining us,” said Chaminuka.
Zifa are yet to secure funding for the return trip to Lesotho, with Gwesela telling Chronicle Sport yesterday that the idea was to leave as early as possible. “At the moment we don’t have an itinerary but we would like to depart early enough for the team to have a rest,” said Gwesela. The Warriors have qualified for every Chan event since its inception in Ivory Coast in 2009.
In the last edition staged in South Africa last year, the Warriors claimed fourth place finish after being knocked out by eventual winners Libya.