Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Football Association of Zambia believes their international friendly match against Zimbabwe set for the giant National Sports Stadium tomorrow evening will prove beneficial to the two countries.
Speaking in an interview with Chronicle Sport, FAZ president Andrew Kamanga said the match will be part of their preparations for the World Cup qualifier against Cameroon on November 12.
“It’s mutually beneficial engagement for both countries. Zimbabwe also need good friendlies before going to the African Nations Cup finals while we are having Cameroon next week,” said Kamanga.
He said the team, which arrived in Zimbabwe at 4PM on Thursday, contrary to social media reports that they arrived in the evening and were stranded at the Harare International Airport, was mainly made up of locally based players but had two foreign based, largely due to the fact that the match is outside the Fifa calendar.
“The two who are in are already in offseason,” said Kamanga who however did not travel with the Wedson Nyirenda coached squad.
The neighbours will be meeting for the 44th time since 1980, Zimbabwe winning seven times, Zambia recording 16 victories while 20 matches have ended in stalemates.
Zambia’s last visit to Zimbabwe was in 2013.
Warriors squad
Goalkeepers: Tatenda Mukuruva (Dynamos), Donovan Bernard (How Mine)
Defenders: Godknows Murwira (Dynamos), Hardlife Zvirekwi (CAPS United), Ronald Pfumbidzai (CAPS United), Honest Moyo (Highlanders), Lawrence Mhlanga (Chicken Inn), Teenage Hadebe (Chicken Inn)
Midfielders: Tendai Ndlovu (Highlanders), Farai Madhanhanga (Harare City), Jameson Mukombwe (Chapungu), Tafadzwa Kutinyu (Chicken Inn), Ronald Chitiyo (Harare City), Talent Chawapihwa (ZPC Kariba), Malvern Gaki (Triangle)
Strikers: Pritchard Mpelele (Hwange), Gift Mbweti (Hwange), Leonard Tsipa (CAPS United), Rodreck Mutuma (Dynamos), William Manondo (Harare City)