Eddie Chikamhi Harare Bureau
WARRIORS coach Callisto Pasuwa seems to be losing patience with Ocean Mushure after the Dynamos defender failed to report for camp on the second day of training without explanation.
Mushure was the notable absentee again yesterday apart from the 10 players from Highlanders and Chicken Inn who were expected late in the evening. Skipper Danny Phiri, who is feared to be carrying knocks, will most likely be the last person to join camp today.
The Warriors, who are preparing for the Africa Nations Championship, got their training camp off to a slow start this week with 21 players in camp from a list of 32 that was announced by coach Callisto Pasuwa early this month.
While the Highlanders and Chicken Inn players were given the exemption to come late after featuring in the NetOne Easycall Cup final last Sunday, it was Mushure’s absence that worried the coach. Pasuwa indicated he could be closing the door on the DeMbare man.
“There’s no communication, we haven’t seen him. We called 32 and I think from that we will be left with 31, which is still a big number. So we have to choose from those who are available.
“We don’t have to force anyone. Those who wanted to play came and he didn’t come so we will train with those who want to go and play at the Chan finals,” said Pasuwa.
Mushure, however, is suspected to have slipped out of the country on a job hunting mission. Last year he pulled off an almost similar stunt when he was called by then coach Ian Gorowa in a 29-member provisional squad that was set for the previous edition of the Chan finals held in South Africa.
The left back failed to avail himself and gave an excuse that he was facing personal problems, which made it difficult for him to be included in the side.
However, it turned out he was trying to put together a move to Sudan, which failed to materialise. Dynamos team manager Richard Chihoro yesterday indicated the club was not aware of the defender’s whereabouts.
He said the Glamour Boys are currently training in preparation for the proposed Joshua Nkomo Legacy Cup against Highlanders and Mushure has not set his foot at the ground this week.
The Joshua Nkomo Legacy Cup will be played over two legs with Dynamos home at Rufaro on Saturday before the teams clash again on the Unity Day next Tuesday at Barbourfields.
“What we know is that he was among the players that were called for national team duty and as far as we know is in camp. So we wouldn’t know what exactly is happening with him if he is not there. We will need to find out,” said Chihoro.
Mushure, who was crowned the first runner up at this year’s Soccer Star of the Year awards, looked a good prospect for the technical team following his stellar performances in the Glamour Boys colours.
His absence, however, is likely to open doors for Highlanders’ Bruce Kangwa who had been knocking on the national team doors for long. Flame Lily’s Edwin Madhananga is also another good prospect.
Pasuwa said he was happy with the responses from his players in the first two days of training despite the lingering worries with some of the players who are not disclosing their knocks.
“We have been assessing injuries to some of the boys. Remember these guys had been playing a lot and some of them had a two-week rest and we are trying to manage that so that we can come up with a team that will do duty in Rwanda.
“I have seen some of the boys have been hiding injuries and with what we have been doing you can see it’s coming back to them and by the end of the week we will have to trim some of the guys who are injured.
“We can’t keep on having them in camp, we have to send them home. We will not call other players because already we have a big number in camp,” said Pasuwa.
Among the players who the team doctors could be monitoring are Hwange’s Pritchard Mpelele, Dynamos defender Blessing Moyo, big forward Francesco Zekumbawira and Talent Chawapihwa.
The Warriors had a gym session in the morning before moving to the National Sports Stadium in the afternoon for more field work.
They however, continued to experience logistical challenges which have been haunting their camp since Day One on Sunday.