Nineteen of the 23 players called for the game against Botswana, including South Africa-based Khama Billiart, are in camp and were at the team’s training session Monday under the guidance of caretaker coach Klause Dieter Pagels, who has been given the task of taking charge of the team for the remaining matches of the 2014 World Cup campaign.
Team manager Shariff Mussa has revealed that they are still expecting German-based Knowledge Musona and Archierford Gutu, who plays for Kalmar in Sweden, in order to have a full compliment of the squad.
Mussa, however, revealed that former Dynamos striker Roderick Mutuma who has just joined South Africa’s Bloemfontein Celtic is not available due to club commitments.
Missing too is injured Quincy Antipas, who plays for Brondby in Denmark. Apart from Mutuma and Antipas, Mussa said they have no injury worries and will field the best Zimbabwean team available.
Mussa, however, said they would have wanted more time with the players instead of the two days allocated to them before the game.
Despite that, the team manager has promised soccer fans a good game.
Zimbabwe is using this game to prepare for their World Cup qualifier against Egypt set for next month.
The Warriors, who are in third position in the four-nation World Cup group need a win against the Pharaohs to have a realistic chance of qualifying for Brazil. The Warriors have one point from two matches and trail leaders Egypt by five points.
Guinea is in second place with three points while Mozambique is at the bottom with one point garnered from a goalless draw against the Warriors.
The game against Botswana is being played on a day reserved for international friendlies by FIFA and a win for Zimbabwe will also help improve their world ranking.
Zimbabwe is ranked 101 in the world and 25th in Africa.
Team manager Shariff Mussa has revealed that they are still expecting German-based Knowledge Musona and Archierford Gutu, who plays for Kalmar in Sweden, in order to have a full compliment of the squad.
Mussa, however, revealed that former Dynamos striker Roderick Mutuma who has just joined South Africa’s Bloemfontein Celtic is not available due to club commitments.
Missing too is injured Quincy Antipas, who plays for Brondby in Denmark. Apart from Mutuma and Antipas, Mussa said they have no injury worries and will field the best Zimbabwean team available.
Mussa, however, said they would have wanted more time with the players instead of the two days allocated to them before the game.
Despite that, the team manager has promised soccer fans a good game.
Zimbabwe is using this game to prepare for their World Cup qualifier against Egypt set for next month.
The Warriors, who are in third position in the four-nation World Cup group need a win against the Pharaohs to have a realistic chance of qualifying for Brazil. The Warriors have one point from two matches and trail leaders Egypt by five points.
Guinea is in second place with three points while Mozambique is at the bottom with one point garnered from a goalless draw against the Warriors.
The game against Botswana is being played on a day reserved for international friendlies by FIFA and a win for Zimbabwe will also help improve their world ranking.
Zimbabwe is ranked 101 in the world and 25th in Africa.