Zimbabwe names squad for Cameroon tie

Zimbabwe's national Under-23 coach Callisto Pasuwa has named a 26 member provisional squad for the All-Africa qualifiers second round against Cameroon later this month.

The team started trooping into camp on Saturday.

Zimbabwe host Cameroon on the weekend of 20-22 March for the first leg, before travelling to West Africa for the return fixture.

Pasuwa’s squad has lot of surprises with Highlanders center back Douglas Sibanda dropped together with Harare City right back Munyaradzi Diro-Nyenye.

There is no place for 17-year-old Kundai Benyu who plays for English Championship side, Ipswich Town.

Australia-based goalkeeper Akim Abdular has been included in place of Dynamos’ Tonderayi Mateyaunga.

Also receiving debut call-ups are Caps United midfielder Kudzai Nyamupfukudza, Harare City goalkeeper Tatenda Gwademba, Morris Kadzola of How Mine, Triangle’s Malvern Gaki and Highlanders new forward Thomas Chideu.

Cash-strapped Zifa have extended a begging bowl for financial assistance.

“In the meantime we continue to reiterate our call for sponsorship since we are heavily constrained in terms of revenue and we cannot survive without government and corporate funding. All Africa games qualifiers for both men and women teams need over US$600 000, a figure which is too high considering our financial quagmire.

The funding of national teams is not the responsibility of Zifa alone, it is everyone’s collective responsibility,” Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela said.

Zimbabwe secured a date with Cameroon without kicking the ball after Swaziland pulled out from the first round.

Goalkeepers: Tatenda Mukuruva (Dynamos), Bernard Donovan (How Mine), Tatenda Gwademba Harare City), Akim Abdular (Sunshine Dodges, Australia)

Defenders: Blessing Moyo (Dynamos), Morris Kadzola (How Mine), Ronald Pfumbidzayi (Caps United), Liberty Chakoroma (Buffaloes), Kelvin Moyo (FC Platinum), Teenage Hadebe (Highlanders)

Midfielders: Nqobizitha Masuku (Highlanders), Kudzai Nyamupfukudza (Caps United), Wisdom Mutasa (FC Platinum), Carlos Rusere (Dynamos), Walter Musona (FC Platinum), Malvern Gaki (Triangle) Takudzwa Mahori (Caps United), Emmanuel Mandiranga (FC Platinum), Talent Chawapihwa (Harare City), Kudakwashe Mahachi (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Marvelous Nakamba (Vitesse, Netherlands)

Forwards: Pritchard Mphelele (Hwange), Judar Rashirai (Real Salt Lake Academy), Thomas Chidhewu (Highlanders), Macaulley Bonne (Colchester United, England)