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Callisto Pasuwa

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE coach Callisto Pasuwa has recommended that the Warriors conduct fitness tests as he fears some players called up for the training squad ahead of the 2016 African Nations Championship could be hiding injuries. The Warriors are today expected to begin their preparations for the finals of the biennial tournament scheduled for Rwanda from January 16 to February 7.

The players started trooping into camp yesterday with most of the Harare-based players led by CAPS United defender Hardlife Zvirekwi being the early birds. They will conduct their first training this morning.

Pasuwa however, suspects that some of his players are not being honest with their fitness levels. His suspicions were heightened by revelations that versatile Hwange player Pritchard Mpelele is expected to go for an operation while a cloud also hangs over big Harare City forward Francesco Zekumbawira’s availability.

There are also concerns over Highlanders defender Teenage Hadebe who was pulled out of the NetOne Easycall Cup final against Chicken Inn yesterday. “I think I have noticed something on some of the players we called in. They may not want to come out clean about their status just because they have been called to the national team.

“But from the discussions I had with some of the club doctors, it seems some players are walking wounded. So we should conduct some tests to see if there are no players hiding injuries,” said Pasuwa.

With the league programme over now, Pasuwa is not expecting challenges in assembling his players. The former Dynamos coach told The Herald that the responses they got yesterday were positive. But there are players like Joel Ngodzo of CAPS United and Zekumbawira who were still holed up in Bulawayo.

“We have a good number of players already in camp and we are still expecting more to come in. Of course there are one or two excuses but we had expected only those who featured in the Easycall Cup final between Chicken Inn and Highlanders to come in later, probably tomorrow evening.

“I communicated with them and it’s only normal that they need time to recover after playing in that match,” said Pasuwa. Zimbabwe are in Group D along with COSAFA rivals Zambia, Mali and Uganda.

Pasuwa stressed that they needed thorough preparations ahead of their departure probably in the second week of January. He believes time is no longer on their side especially with the Christmas and New Year holidays ahead.

“I had thought we could get these players in camp soon after finishing their league games but that couldn’t happen. You never know what these boys have been up to after they finished their Premiership games.

“We had planned a six-week programme and one week is gone already. So we are behind time and with the holidays coming up it becomes tricky. “We are planning to continue in camp until probably the 24th of December and give them two days off for the Christmas holiday. We look to resume on December 27 and from then on we don’t expect another break until we depart for Rwanda,” said Pasuwa.

Squad:
GOALKEEPERS
Elvis Chipezeze (Chicken Inn FC), Tatenda Mukuruva (Dynamos FC), Takabva Mawaya (Hwange Colliery FC), Donovan Bernard (How Mine FC)

DEFENDERS
Stephen Makatuka (CAPS United FC), Blessing Moyo (Dynamos FC), Bruce Kangwa (Highlanders FC), Ocean Mushure (Dynamos FC), Elisha Muroiwa (Dynamos FC), Teenage Hadebe (Highlanders FC), Lawrence Mhlanga (Chicken Inn FC ), Hardlife Zvirekwi (CAPS United FC) Farai Madhananga (Flame lily FC)

MIDFIELDERS
Nqobizitha Masuku (Highlanders FC), Tichaona Chipunza (Triangle FC), Ronald Chitiyo (Dynamos FC), Raphael Manuvire (ZPC Kariba FC), Tafadzwa Kutinyu (Chicken Inn FC), George Majika (Chicken Inn FC), Marshall Mudehwe (FC Platinum), William Manondo (Harare City FC), Danny Phiri (Chicken Inn FC), Gerald Takwara (FC Platinum), Joel Ngodzo (Caps United FC) Hilary Bakacheza (Triangle United FC)

STRIKERS
Pritchard Mpelele (Hwange Colliery FC), Rodreck Mutuma (Dynamos FC), Edmore Chirambadare (Chicken Inn FC), Brian Muzondiwa (FC Platinum), Francesco Zekumbawira (Harare City FC), Knox Mtizwa (Highlanders FC), Moses Demera (Flame Lily FC)