Warriors troop into camp
ARSENAL won the FA Cup for a record 13th time in a thrilling final by beating 10-man Chelsea, who were denied a league and cup double.
The result means Arsene Wenger is the most successful manager in the competition’s history with seven victories.
The Gunners had controversially taken the lead in the fifth minute through Alexis Sanchez, but the linesman had his flag up for Aaron Ramsey, who was stood in an offside position. Ramsey did not touch the ball, allowing Sanchez to run through and slot in.
Arsenal dominated the first half and could have doubled their advantage but Danny Welbeck struck the woodwork with a header and Ramsey chested the ball against the same post on the follow-up.
Victor Moses forced David Ospina into a fine save in the second period, before the Chelsea wingback was given a second yellow card on 68 minutes for diving in the penalty area.
With 14 minutes remaining, the Blues got back into the game through Diego Costa’s shot that bobbled in, but Ramsey headed in the winner just two minutes later. The Welshman had also scored the winning goal in the 2014 cup final against Hull.
Arsenal could have had another late on, but Mesut Ozil struck the post from inside the area.
Wenger had major selection issues with Laurent Koscielny suspended and both Shkodran Mustafi and Gabriel injured, so centre-back Per Mertesacker was given his first start of the season. The German defender put in a dominant display to keep Costa quiet. Chelsea failed to gain revenge for the 2002 final, which Arsenal won 2-0, and the result ends their run of four consecutive final victories. — BBC Sport THE national team troops into camp tomorrow with hopes the two week-long camp will give the technical department enough time with the players unlike previous occasions when Warriors coaches had five days to assess players before an assignment.
Warriors manager, Wellington Mpandare said they requested for a two-week camp from Zifa as it is Norman Mapeza’s first competitive game in charge of the national team during this spell.
He said the ample time would give Mapeza the opportunity to assess all the players and come up with the right combinations as they face Liberia in the first game of the group G 2019 Africa Cup of Nations at the National Sports Stadium on 11 June.
He said besides Onismor Bhasera,asera, who will feature for his side in a Caf Confederationation Cup match next Sunday and Knowledge Musonana who will be on duty for his club, K.V. Oostende on 31 May, they expect all the players to be in camp by Tuesday. esday.
“We are lucky because mostst of the players are available considering they are off-season while those with local clubs are readily available. We expect the technical department will use the time to their advantage and ensure they select ect the best players to achieve the job for them,” he said.id.
Responding to reports that some of the selected players who were part of the e national team that represented the country at the 2017 Afcon in Gabon were going to boycott call ups due to the purported suspension of former captain Willard Katsande, Nyasha Mushekwi and Mathewathew Rusike, Mpandare concluded it was speculation as he has been in constant contact with several players who have ve not indicated any problem with beingeing part of the national set up.
He said Costa Nhamoinesu, Marvelous Nakamba and Musona have all shown interest in representing the country.
“I speak to those players on an almost daily basis and they have not indicated any problems with representing their country, I think those reports are misplaced,” he said.
Full squad Goalkeepers: Edmore Sibanda (Caps United), Ariel Sibanda (Highlanders), Petros Mhari (FC Platinum) Defenders: Dennis Dauda (Caps United), Partson Jaure, Qadr Amin (Ngezi Platinum), Onismor Bhasera (SuperSport United), Teenage Hadebe (Chicken Inn), Jameson Mukombwe (Black Rhinos), Erick Chipeta (Ajax Cape Town), Sydney Linyama (Black Rhinos), Midfielders: Thabani Kamusoko (Young Africans), Devon Chafa (Caps United), Simon Shoko (FC Platinum), Kudakwashe Mahachi ( Golden Arrows) Khama Billiart (Mamelodi Sundowns) Marvelous Nakamba (Vittese), Danny Phiri (Golden Arrows), Liberty Chakoroma (Ngezi Platinum), Ovidy Karuru (AmaZulu), Ronald Chitiyo (Caps United) Strikers: Tendai Ndoro (Orlando Pirates), Evans Rusike (Maritzburg United), Knowledge Musona ( OK Oostende), Prince Dube (Highlanders)