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Petros Kausiyo Deputy Sports Editor
ZIMBABWE coach Ian Gorowa has sacrificed his Christmas holiday this year, opting to remain in Harare to oversee his team’s preparations for the African Nations Championships, than going to his base in South Africa to be with his family. After more than a week of intensive training that got off to a false start, the Warriors took a deserved, but short festive holiday break yesterday to briefly join their families before they resume their preparations for the CHAN finals in South Africa.

Despite facing some logistical glitches on the opening two days of their camp, including lack of food and transport, the Warriors put their troubles behind them to begin gearing up for their third successive CHAN appearance when the competition that is reserved for players who ply their trade in their domestic leagues, gets underway in Cape Town on January 11.

Coach Gorowa said yesterday he had called off an afternoon session to give the players a two-day break for the Christmas holiday, but expects them to return into camp on Boxing Day.

There is no such luxury, however, for Gorowa whose base is in Johannesburg and the coach revealed that some of his players, who would have had to travel long distances to be with their  families, have opted to remain in camp.

But, as the Warriors trooped out to join their families yesterday, Gorowa heaped praise on the squad he has had in camp saluting them for their commitment to duty.

“We have given the players a two-day break and we will resume camp on the 26th. They have to go out and have Christmas with their families, but some of these players have resolved to stay in camp as they would have needed to travel long distances.

“I am also remaining in camp with them,’’ Gorowa said.
It is the work ethic of this bunch of homegrown talent that has, however, charmed Gorowa and the former Moroka Swallows and Mamelodi Sundowns coach saluted his charges for remaining focused on their mission.

“They have been working very hard and everybody has been committed. I must say I am very happy with the progress the players have made since we started our camp and the commitment they have shown has made my job easier.

“I am proud of the way these guys have applied themselves and as a coach you cannot ask for more when you have a bunch of players that is so committed, that is willing to listen, that is willing to learn’’.

Gorowa said he had also implored on his charges to remain disciplined while merry-making during their short holiday.
“We have said yes they should go out and enjoy, but when we resume camp, they will be tested again to see who has been naughty and things like that . . . it is a precautionary measure’’.

The Warriors’ move to re-test their players when they resume camp also comes against the background of the strictness with which Fifa and the Confederation of African Football now attach to issues of doping and general medical status of players before and during such tournaments like CHAN.

Gorowa’s men are also likely to get a day off on New Year’s eve, but by then the former Zimbabwe international striker would have named his final 23 in time for the Caf deadline of January 1.

The 41-year-old coach has already hinted that he now has his final squad in mind, but would leave it until just a few days before the Caf deadline to name his side, a move which has left competition for places very intense.

Gorowa is seeking to better the CHAN record of his predecessors Sunday Chidzambwa and Madinda Ndlovu and guide the Warriors beyond the round robin phase.

At the inaugural CHAN tournament under Chidzambwa in Cote d’Ivoire in 2009 the Warriors drew their three group games, including against eventual winners Democratic Republic of Congo.

Two years later in Wad Medani in Sudan, a stunning 2-1 win over Ghana was not good enough to help Madinda’s men to progress.
Now Gorowa’s class will be hoping for third time luck when they begin their campaign with a date against the Atlas Lions of Morocco at Athlone in Cape Town on January 12 before they take on Uganda in their next assignment at the same venue four days later.
The Warriors will then wind up their round robin fixtures with a showdown against Burkina Faso on January 20.

Meanwhile, reports from Kampala indicate that Uganda Cranes striker Frank Kalanda is out of the CHAN tournament after he opted to travel to Vietnam for a semi-professional stint.

Uganda, just like the Warriors, have had to make do with players either joining camp late or leaving camp to seek better fortunes at clubs outside their countries.

The decision has forced coach Micho Sredojevic to exclude him from the team that resumed training on Friday.
“I had not dropped him but what do you do when a player leaves without informing you?” explained Micho.
“We shall use the available players to ensure we get the desired results,” Micho added.

But there was some encouraging news as utility player Denis Guma returned after missing the Cecafa Cup tournament because of a knee injury.

The defender-cum-midfielder has been named in Micho’s 29-man squad currently undergoing double training sessions at Namboole until Tuesday morning.

Uganda squad
Guma Denis, Benjamin Ochan, Muleme Isaac, Mugerwa Yasser, Kabugo Savio, Okwi Simon, Martin Mpuuga Aloro Rogers, Brian Majwega,Tom Matsiko, Ivan Ntege, Ronnie Kisseka, Joseph Mpande, Nicholas Wadada, Yunus Sentamu, Kazibwe Ismail, Kayizi Vincent, Watenga Isamail, Kyeyune Said, Agaba Oscar, Kira Young- Kasaga Richard, Ntambi Julius, Asiku Crespo, Oringa Franco, Olaki Francis, Kasumba Umar, Ayub Kisalita, Namwanja Simon, Kyambade Allan.