Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
TWO senior Mighty Warriors players have been dropped from the squad that begins its preparations for the 12th edition of the African Nations Cup finals with a friendly match against Egypt on Tuesday.
The finals will be held in Cameroon from November 19 to December 3. Captain Felistas Muzongondi and goal poacher Rudo Neshamba are not part of the squad called up by coach Shadreck Mlauzi which is set to troop into camp on Sunday.
The duo have been dropped due to chronic injuries, according to Mlauzi. He has replaced the duo with little known midfielders, England-based Moddy Muwoni and Palesa Chipendo who is in the United States.
“For the first time, we have included foreign based players to broaden our player base and we hope these players will bring a new dimension to our game since they have been exposed to better facilities,” Mlauzi told zifa.org.zw.
The technical team retained the core of the players who were part of the historic Olympic Games line-up. Meanwhile, the Mighty Warriors will know their finals group opponents on Sunday when the draw is conducted in Yaounde.
The teams will be grouped into two groups of four each with the top two sides advancing to the semi-finals. At the finals, the teams will be ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss).
If tied on points, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
1. Number of points obtained in games between the teams concerned;
2. Goal difference in games between the teams concerned;
3. Goals scored in games between the teams concerned;
4. If, after applying criteria 1 to 3 to several teams, two teams still have an equal ranking, criteria 1 to 3 are reapplied exclusively to the matches between the two teams in question to determine their final rankings. If this procedure does not lead to a decision, criteria 5 to 7 apply;
5. Goal difference in all games;
6. Goals scored in all games;
7. Drawing of lots.
Mighty Warriors Squad
Goalkeepers
Lindiwe Magwede (Cyclone Stars),Chido Dzingirai (Flame Lily), Manyara Mandara (Mwenezana), Deliwe Makaha (Faith Drive)
Defenders
Danai Bhobho (Mwenezana), Nobuhle Majika (Inline Academy), Nobukhosi Ncube (New Orleans), Sarudzai Chikoore (Conduit), Lince Mpaya (Mufakose), Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri (Mufakose), Sheila Makoto (Blue Swallows), Patience Mujuru (Black Rhinos)
Midfielders
Emmaculate Msipa (Black Rhinos), Mavis Chirandu (Weerams), Greater Bhande (Cyclone Stars), Marjory Nyaumwe (Flame Lily), Viola Ndlovu (Black Rhinos), Palesa Chipendo, Violet Bepete (Black Rhinos), Talent Mandaza (Black Rhinos), Moddy Muwoni
Strikers
Rutendo Makore (Black Rhinos), Berita Kabwe (Flame Lily), Sibonginkosi Nleya (Weerams), Maudi Mapfuruse (Faith Drive), Tonderai Masango (lnline Academy), Kudakwashe Basopo (Black Rhinos).
@skhumoyo2000.