Zimpapers Logo

Warriors coach Callisto Pasuwa shows some of his charges how he wants them to play during the first day of their training session at Rufaro recently

Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
WARRIORS coach Callisto Pasuwa is today expected to announce the squad which will play against Malawi in a crucial 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the National Sports Stadium.

Zimbabwe lead Group L with eight points followed by Guinea and Swaziland, who are both tied on five points with two rounds of matches to go while Malawi anchor the log table with two points.

Yesterday, ZIFA Communications manager Xolisani Gwesela said the coach was likely to announce his squad today and referred further questions to Warriors manager Sharif Mussa who was, however, not available.

Malawi last week announced their squad for the short trip to Harare.

The Flames squad, which began camp at the weekend, is dominated by players plying their trade in local league, Mozambique and South Africa.

There is only less than two weeks before the important clash and Pasuwa is expected to retain the bulk of the players who were on duty when Zimbabwe thrashed Swaziland 4-1 on Easter Monday at the National Sports Stadium two months ago.

A few surprises may spring up, though.

Barring injuries, Pasuwa should have all his options available as most of the foreign leagues have ended.

The Warriors last participated at the continental showpiece in 2006 in Egypt and there is hope among the players that this time the team will end their 10-year wait for a place at the Nations Cup finals.

Before the Warriors host Malawi, they will first battle Uganda here in an international friendly match which both teams are using to gauge their readiness for the Afcon qualifiers.

Uganda play Botswana in a Group D match. The friendly international is set for next Tuesday.

The East Africans are second in their group with seven points.

Uganda coach Milutin Sredojevic has included Werder Bremen striker Melvyn Lorenzen in his squad.

The German-based player was born in London to a Ugandan father.

The coach believes his experience playing at a higher level should come in handy for his team as they seek to go on top of their group.

Also making the trip to Harare is Iraq-based midfielder Hassan Wasswa, Mike Azira, who plays for Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer in the United States of America, Farouk Miya, who turns out for Belgian side Standard Liege as well as Denmark-based Emmanuel Okwi.

Uganda Squad:

Goalkeepers: Dennis Onyanyo (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Robert Ondongkara (St George, Ethiopia), Salim Jamal Magola (El Merriekh, Sudan)

Defenders: Denis Iguma (Al Ahed, Lebanon), Isaac Isinde (St George, Ethiopia), Murushid Jjuuko (Simba, Tanzania), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Al Shorta, Iraq), Joseph Ochaya (KCCA, Uganda)

Midfielders: Mike Azira (Colorado Rapids, MLS), Moses Oloya (Becamex Binh Duong, Vietnam), Aucho Khalid (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Tonny Mawejje (Thottur, Iceland), William Kizito Luwagga (Feirense, Portugal), Godfrey Walusimbi (Gor Mahia, Kenya)

Strikers: Farouk Miya (Standard Liege, Belgium), Davis Kasirye (Rayon Sports, Rwanda), Edrisa Lubega (Proline, Uganda), Erisa Ssekisambu (Vipers, Uganda), Geofrey Massa (Bloemfontein Celtics, South Africa), Emmanuel Okwi (Sondyerske, Denmark), Lorenzen Melvyn (Werder Bremen, Germany).