Mapeza impressed. . .



Aug 31 2010 13:11


Warriors caretaker coach Norman Mapeza yesterday said he was impressed by foreign-based players’ turnout after the majority joined the local lads ahead of Zimbabwe’s 2012 African Cup of Nations opening soccer qualifier against Liberia in Monrovia at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Seven out of the 13 foreign- based players reported for duty as Warriors kick-started preparations for the crucial tie. However, there was concern over Poland- based midfielder and former Soccer Star of the Year Clemence Matawu who sat out training with an ankle injury.

Matawu, who recently joined top flight Polish side Polonia Bytom, had to be attended to by team doctor Edward Chagonda who applied ice to his left ankle to ease pain. Matawu said his club doctor did a scan on the ankle on Saturday and was optimistic he would be fit for the Liberia game.

Matawu was one of the seven- foreign-based players who were in camp yesterday.

The others were the Mamelodi Sundowns trio of Method Mwanjali, Lionel Mtizwa and Nyasha Mushekwi, Ajax Cape Town’ s Tafadzwa Rusike and the Kaizer Chiefs duo of defender Thomas Sweswe and rising star Knowledge Musona.

Most of the players who had not reported for duty were those based in Europe together with Al Hilal striker Edward Sadomba who is based in Sudan.

The remaining quintet was Quincy Antipas (Sonderjysk, Denmark), Noel Kaseke (AC Omonia, Cyprus), Onismor Bhasera (Plymouth Argyle, England), Costa Nhamoinesu (Zaglebie Lubin, Poland) and Justice Majabvi (Lask Linz, Austria).

Mapeza said: “I’m happy and impressed that the majority of the players I called up are here. There is no better start than this.

“Some of the players were engaged at the weekend and I expect the rest of the team tomorrow (today). I have reduced the number of locally-based players to 11.”