Powell Govere, who plays for Golden Eagles in the Northern Region Division One has been a surprise inclusion in the 34-man squad named by WARRIORS coach Zdravko “Loga” Logarusic.
The squad is for the African Nations Championship (Chan) finals set for Cameroon in January next year.
The squad will get into camp on December 6. They will take a Christmas break on December 20 before resuming camp on December 28 until they leave for the tournament that starts in Cameroon on January 16.
Only home-based players are allowed for the Chan tournament. This gives them continental exposure that can lead to lucrative moves abroad as scouts follow the tournament keenly.
Zimbabwe is in Group A with hosts Cameroon, Mali and Burkina Faso. The Warriors will feature in the first game of the tournament with a showdown against Cameroon at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaoundé on January 16.
The tournament was originally scheduled for April 4-25 this year, but authorities cancelled it following the Covid-19 outbreak.
The players have been inactive for a year and Loga will have a tough time getting them into shape in time for the tournament. The players have also been selected based on their 2019 performances due to the shutting down of the local league.
The Warriors are set to play training games against FC Platinum, Dynamos and possibly two other teams from the Premier Soccer League as part of their preparations.
With Logarusic having overlooked some locally-based players for the Afcon qualifiers against Algeria due to inactivity, the Chan tournament will be the perfect opportunity for them to be in contention for the remaining qualifiers.
Warriors Chan 2021 Squad
Goalkeepers: Ariel Sibanda (Highlanders), Simbarashe Chinani (Dynamos), Nelson Chadya (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Petros Mhari (FC Platinum)
Defenders: Xolani Ndlovu (Chicken Inn), Peter Muduwa (Highlanders), Partson Jaure (Dynamos), Valentine Musarurwa (Harare City), Ian Nekati (Chicken Inn), Qadr Amini (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Frank Makarati (Ngezi Platinum), Raphael Muduviwa (FC Platinum), Pawell Govere (Golden Eagles), Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders)
Midfielders: Juan Mutudza (Dynamos), Valentine Kadonzvo (Chicken inn, Ralph Kawondera (FC Platinum), Trevor Mavunga (Triangle), Phenias Bamusi (Caps United), Wellington Taderera (Ngezi Platinum), Devon Chafa (Ngezi Platinum), Kelvin Madzongwe (FC Platinum), Silas Songani (FC Platinum), Collins Duwa (Triangle United), Tichaona Chipunza (Chicken Inn), Ishmael Wadi (Caps United), Leeroy Mavunga (Caps United), Nqobizitha Masuku (Highlanders), Tatenda Tavengwa (Harare City), King Nadolo (Dynamos)
Strikers: Obriel Chirinda (Chicken Inn), Stanley Ngala (FC Platinum), Thomas Chideu (Harare City), William Manondo (Harare City)
