Zimbabwe has been engaging with Mozambique on a government level to ensure that the French-based Warriors players, Tino Kadewere and Marshall Munetsi, travel for the African Cup of Nations (AfCON) tournament qualification matches; ZIFA Head of Communications Xolisani Gwasela has revealed today at a press conference.
Warriors will be facing Botswana and Zambia on March 25 and 29 respectively.
“We have engaged the Mozambique Football Federation, who have in principle agreed to assist us to transport the players back to France after the qualifiers,” Gwasela said.
French clubs layed conditions on releasing players going back to their countries on national duty which include that the travelling players will be using a private plane and also that they will not be quarantined.
Beside conditions from France, the Warriors are facing challenges of football players for appearing late in the camp giving the national team less time to prepare and also key players will be missing in the Botswana match.
Only 15 of the expected 23 players had arrived in the Warriors camp for training two days before the clash with Botswana.
Nine of Logarusic’s A-team players, who encountered Algeria last time will also not feature for the national team forcing the coach to use team B and C players.
Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic complained that clubs are releasing players five days before the AFCON Qualifiers tournament matches.
Zimbabwe’s camp is however confident that the Warriors will produce positive results despite challenges in preparation.
The Warriors coach is positive that the team will produce the required results to participate in AfCON.
“We are not crying,” he said raising hope of qualifying in Africa’s most popular tournament.
Team captain, Knowledge Musona also weighed in, “We might not have the key players but we have the quality to win a game… With the quality we have, I think we can play and come out with a positive result.”
Gwasela assured Zimbabweans that everything is in point in terms of accommodation and other expenses for the Botswana match.
Players that have already arrived in the Warriors camp include, Ariel Sibanda, Talbert Shumba, Victor Kamhuka, Takudzwa Chimwemwe, Jimmy Dzingai, Tanaka Chinyahara, Kuda Mahachi, Thabani Kamusoko, Knowledge Musona, Tafadzwa Rusike, Last Jesi, Perfect Chikwende, Ovidy Karuru, Evans Rusike and Terrence Dzvukamanja.
