HARARE —
The Zimbabwe national soccer team is in turmoil ahead of their 2014 World Cup qualifier against Mozambique.
Only four players have reported for duty and national team coach Ian Gorowa is also absent with reports that he is in South African on personal business.
The Warriors were supposed to regroup Tuesday but only Danny Phiri, Ali Sadiki, Blessing Chinwamuchere and Felix Chindungwe turned up alongside team manager Patrick Muteswa and kit manager Joshua Khumalo.
Also absent are assistant coaches Kalisto Pasuwa and Jairos Tapera, who are with their clubs for midweek Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches, which have been organized despite the national team engagement.
The players are also with their clubs and team manager Muteswa says this does not show seriousness on the part of Zimbabwe.
Although the South African ABSA Premiership is off due to South Africa’s game against Botswana on Saturday, Kaiser Chiefs midfielder Willard Katsande has also not reported for duty.
Although the game is no longer significant as the Warriors have already been eliminated from the race to Brazil, the Zimbabweans need to win the match to avoid finishing rock bottom of the four country group.
At the moment Zimbabwe are on the bottom of the log with only one point from five games while Mozambique are second from the bottom with two points from the same number of games. A draw or defeat will see not change the log standings.
Muteswa says these are the games Zimbabwe should take advantage of to prove their mettle.
Egypt with 15 points has already qualified for the final round while Guinea are second with 10 points.
Gorowa is expected to use the World Cup qualifier to fine tune his team for the 2014 African Nations Championships set for South Africa in January.
Only four players have reported for duty and national team coach Ian Gorowa is also absent with reports that he is in South African on personal business.
The Warriors were supposed to regroup Tuesday but only Danny Phiri, Ali Sadiki, Blessing Chinwamuchere and Felix Chindungwe turned up alongside team manager Patrick Muteswa and kit manager Joshua Khumalo.
Also absent are assistant coaches Kalisto Pasuwa and Jairos Tapera, who are with their clubs for midweek Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches, which have been organized despite the national team engagement.
The players are also with their clubs and team manager Muteswa says this does not show seriousness on the part of Zimbabwe.
Although the South African ABSA Premiership is off due to South Africa’s game against Botswana on Saturday, Kaiser Chiefs midfielder Willard Katsande has also not reported for duty.
Although the game is no longer significant as the Warriors have already been eliminated from the race to Brazil, the Zimbabweans need to win the match to avoid finishing rock bottom of the four country group.
At the moment Zimbabwe are on the bottom of the log with only one point from five games while Mozambique are second from the bottom with two points from the same number of games. A draw or defeat will see not change the log standings.
Muteswa says these are the games Zimbabwe should take advantage of to prove their mettle.
Egypt with 15 points has already qualified for the final round while Guinea are second with 10 points.
Gorowa is expected to use the World Cup qualifier to fine tune his team for the 2014 African Nations Championships set for South Africa in January.