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Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter

WARRIORS’ African Cup of Nations qualifying hero Perfect Chikwende is in danger of missing out on a place at the finals due to inactivity. 

The midfielder returned home three months ago after he was cleared by Tanzanian club Simba SC. 

He joined the East African country’s champions in January after he was scouted during the CAF Champions League matches in FC Platinum colours. He was given a two-year contract. 

However, the attacking midfielder did not enjoy game-time under Simba coach Didier Gomes. The Frenchman has since been relieved of his duties at the Dar-es-Salaam-based side which is now under the guidance of another Frenchman, Pablo Franco. 

But this development was after Chikwende had already requested clearance from the club out of frustration. 

Chikwende is currently training with his former club, FC Platinum, in Zvishavane, hoping to re-join them once the transfer window opens in January. Chikwende wrote his own piece of history when he scored on his Warriors debut in March, heading home the solitary goal that gave Zimbabwe another qualification in an AFCON penultimate qualifying match against Botswana in Francistown. 

But the midfielder is in real danger of missing out on a place in the provisional squad that is set to be selected by Warriors gaffer Norman Mapeza. 

The Warriors’ Africa Cup of Nations provisional squad is yet to be named although ZIFA have dispatched invitation letters to the clubs of the players that they are interested in considering for the continental football jamboree.

The national team is expected to go into camp two days before Christmas holiday and kick-start their preparations. 

Yesterday, Warriors manager, Welly Mpandare, could neither confirm nor deny that the 28-year-old is in the provisional squad. 

However, Mpandare said it is the coach’s discretion to include any player in the squad.

“The coach looks at players who are active, but there are certain players he might consider due to a number of reasons. It is his discretion, and it’s not like there are set rules. The coach makes a lot of considerations weighing on a lot of things such as the position played and player’s input. The coach has the final say when he wants a player in the squad,” said Mpandare.

Yesterday, Chikwende told The Herald that it is every player’s dream to play at a tournament like the Africa Cup of Nations. 

“I know that no one is guaranteed a place in the national team whether you once shone or scored goals. 

“I would have loved to be at the Africa Cup of Nations. It is every player’s dream. And currently, I am not playing football which might affect my chances to be selected in the AFCON squad,” said Chikwende.