Thumbs up for Warriors squad

MICHAEL KARIATI

Football pundits have applauded  Warriors coach’s Michael Nees  for infusing experience and talent  in his provisional 24-member squad.

They believe this was the best team Nees could have come up with at the moment, especially after Yadah star, Khama Billiat was selected yesterday after returning from  international retirement.

Nees called into camp 15 foreign based players and eight from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

The team includes Tawanda Chirewa of Derby Country who fell in love with Zimbabweans following a superb goal in the 3-1 World Cup loss to South Africa.

Nees has also called Jordan Zemura of Udinese, Tino Kadewere of Nantes, Marshall Munetsi of Reims, Munashe Garanganga of Copenhagen as well as Andy Rinomhota of Cardiff City and Tawanda Masvanhise of Motherwell.

There are places for Walter Musona of Simba Bhora, Obriel Chirinda of Ngezi, Donovan Benard of Chicken Inn, Emmanuel Jalai of Dynamos and Cosafa Cup captain Godknows Murwira of Caps United.

“I can’t think of anyone who was left out. I could have picked just about the same team if I was the one in charge,” said the former Chapungu striker, Wellington Shangiwa, who was popularly  known as the Money Maker during his heydays.

Former Circle United striker and Dynamos coach Bigboy Mawiwi thinks this is an all-round team capable of beating anyone in Africa.

“Our team is as strong as we would have wanted it to be. If only the coach can place the players in their right positions, we can beat anyone in Africa,” said Mawiwi, adding that the team needed all the support the Zimbabweans can give them.

Matthias Kufandirimbwa, the self appointed president of the Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters Association also said this is a good mixture of locals and foreign based.

“This is a team that is not only for the present but also for the future. I think we will succeed in the two matches we are going to play,” said Kufandirimbwa.

Zimbabwe faces Kenya on September 6 in Uganda and then plays Cameroon four days later in the same country.