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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter

YOUNGSTERS Bill Antonio and Panashe Mutimbanyoka could still get to experience the Africa Cup of Nations vibe despite being left out of the final squad after they were placed on standby.

The two, together with JDR Stars midfielder Temptation Chiwunga, are expected to fly to Cameroon before the biannual fiesta gets underway on January 10.

Both Antonio and Mutimbanyoka were chopped off the final 23-man squad selected to do the job in West Africa.

The final squad was picked on Tuesday night with eight players, including Mutimbanyoka and Antonio, being dropped.

The Dynamos duo of goalkeeper Taimon Mvula and Frank Makarati joined their teammate Antonio on the list of those dropped while Chicken Inn’s Shepherd Mhlanga, Tapiwa Sibanda of Cranborne Bullets as well as Knox Mutizwa were also dropped.

But, there is still a ray of hope Antonio and Mutimbanyoka would be part of the squad in Cameroon.

That will mean Antonio will make history by becoming the youngest Zimbawean player at an AFCON ever.

Speaking before the Warriors departed at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport yesterday, Warriors manager, Wellington Mpandare, said the trio are most likely to fly to Cameroon before the tournament kicks-off.

“Three players — Bill Antonio, Panashe Mutimbanyoka and Temptation Chiwunga — have been placed on standby and we are currently working on the budgets so that they would follow to Cameroon to join others,” said Mpandare.

“We are leaving this afternoon (yesterday) with the second batch of players as the first batch that had Godknows Murwira and Peter Muduwa as well as three other officials have already left. Three players on standby will most likely be following in the coming days as we are working to see to it that they join others in Cameroon.”

Antonio and Mutimbanyoka have been some of the most impressive youngsters in the local league over the past months.

Antonio has been the heartbeat of Dynamos, initiating virtually every move that has resulted in a goal for the Tonderai Ndiraya team.

He has played in 13 games in both the Chibuku Super Cup and the league scoring three goals in both the tournaments despite being his first time playing in the top-flight.

The 18-year-old has just completed his Advanced Level Zimsec examinations at Prince Edward and can make history in the tournament.

On the other hand, Mutimbanyoka has also played a leading role at FC Platinum helping the Zvishavane side which is coached by Mapeza as well, to the Chibuku Super Cup triumph.

So good has been Mutimbanyoka he won the man-of-the-match accolades on four different occasions in the Chibuku Super Cup.

Even Mapeza said he would have loved to travel with these two youngsters but opted to pick the tried and tested for this mission.

With the Warriors scheduled to play two friendly games against Sudan on January 2 and Cameroon two days later, Antonio and Mutimbanyoka’s presence will ensure no headaches for Mapeza should anyone get injured. While the two youngsters are excited over the prospect of joining the team in Cameroon, the Warriors have given up on Khama Billiat for this tournament.

Billiat announced his retirement from international football last month but there have been efforts to try and convince him to reconsider his decision.

The country needed him to help the Warriors especially given the number of casualties who have withdrawn from the tournament. Mpandare has been leading the negotiating party with the Kaizer Chiefs talisman. But he revealed yesterday they have decided to reopen those talks after the AFCON campaign.

“For this tournament, Khama is out. We have decided that he enjoys his holidays and we will be re-engaging with him after the tournament. We still need him for the AFCON qualifiers which will begin in March.”