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Augustine Hwata Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Warriors are set to clash with Gabon at the Rand Stadium in Johannesburg in what could be their only high-profile international friendly ahead of the African Nations Championship finals.
Coach Ian Gorowa has named his final 23-man squad, who are expected to troop back into camp today, for the final phase of their preparations before they leave for South Africa on Monday.

The players were given a break for the New Year holiday and team manager Shariff Mussa said all the players are expected in camp today.
“We had given the players a break but we expect everyone to return to training tomorrow (today) so that we resume our programme.

“Our programme will be based on training off the field when they guys work in the gym and also involves on the field training when they work on combinations,” said Mussa.

Mussa hopes the players will be fired up after recharging their batteries over the last two days.
Zimbabwe had been hoping to play Libya at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow but the game was cancelled after the North Africans advised that they could no longer arrive in time for the match.

Libya will also be playing at the CHAN finals in South Africa.
However, Gorowa and his technical team will get chance to assess their players when they engage Gabon on Tuesday.

The game between Zimbabwe and Gabon has been hanging in the balance but Mussa yesterday confirmed that a venue for the tie had been secured in Johannesburg.

“I have received confirmation that we will play Gabon on Tuesday 7 January at the Rand Stadium at 15:30 hours,” said Mussa.
After playing Gabon, Zimbabwe will then travel to their base in Cape Town the following day where they are hoping to play South African Premiership side Ajax Cape Town in a practice match.

“On the 8th of January we should be going to Cape Town and we are hoping to play Ajax Cape Town in another match.
“So, it will be good if we can have two practice matches before the tournament since the game against Libya has been called off,” said Mussa.

Warriors skipper Patson Jaure and his troops will be aiming to reach the knock-out stages of the CHAN competition after Zimbabwe failed to progress beyond the opening rounds in the previous tournaments

Jaure, who was served with a seven-match ban by the Premier Soccer League, has previously worn the armband in cameo roles during the Cosafa Castle Cup in Zambia.

The players received a morale-booster ahead of the tournament when the Government availed US$88 000 towards their preparations.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe rivals in Group B, Uganda were last night set to play Mauritania at Namboole Stadium in Kampala as part of their build-up for next week’s CHAN finals.

Uganda Cranes coach, Micho Sredojevic, was hoping his hastily-arranged friendly against Mauritania will help his team, especially on combinations.

“We had planned to have a camp in Cape Town where the Cranes will be based but that has not happened.
“Good enough we landed this opportunity and Mauritania is a very good side and will test our boys.

“They beat Senegal to qualify for CHAN and use some of the best facilities for training,” said Micho.

Cranes final squad
Goalkeepers: Ochan Benjamin (SCVU), Watenga Ismail (SC Vipers), and Kimera Ali (SCVU),
Defenders: Kiseka Ronnie (KCCA) Guma Denis (SCVU), Martin Mpuuga (SCVU), Kasagga Richard (Kira Young), Muleme Isaac (SCVU), Kabugo Savio (SCVU), Aloro Rogers (KCCA)
Midfielders: Ntambi Julius (Kira Young), Kyeyune Said (URA), Kyambade Allan (Express), Kayizzi Vincent (SC Vipers), Mugerwa Yasser (SCVU), Brian Majwega (KCCA), Ivan Ntege (KCCA), Mpande Joseph (SCVipers) and Hassan Waswa (KCCA).
Forwards: Asiku Crespo (Bul FC), Olaki Francis (Soana), Okwi Simon (SCVU), Ssentamu Yunus (SC Vipers)