Dauda in CHAN squad
AFTER a traumatic few weeks, which saw him dumped by CAPS United and lose his first match at new club Yadah Stars, defender Denis Dauda was given something to cheer his spirits yesterday after being drafted into the Warriors squad for the CHAN mission.
As exclusively revealed by The Herald, ZIFA have rewarded Sunday Chidzambwa by appointing him to continue his romance with the Warriors in the CHAN qualifiers which get underway on Sunday.
The veteran gaffer will preside over Zimbabwe’s second round, first leg tie against Namibia at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek this Sunday.
The return match is set for Harare the following weekend.
And Chidzambwa yesterday released an 18-man squad that includes Dauda whose first game at Yadah Stars ended in a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Shabanie Mine.
The lanky defender was dumped by CAPS United after a controversial Facebook post just before the Green Machine match against Yadah Stars.
Yadah Stars captain Jimmy Dzingai has also been called into the squad.
Yesterday ZIFA said they felt there was need to continue with the technical team which lifted a record fifth COSAFA Castle Cup title in South Africa at the weekend.
ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa, in a statement, said they have retained the entire technical team which includes Dynamos coach Lloyd Mutasa and former Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu.
“We felt that continuity was integral in this cause and this creates a strong bond between the players and the technical team.
“This technical team has made us and the nation proud by winning an historic fifth COSAFA Castle Cup and we have made a decision that they will take charge of the 2018 CHAN qualifiers to ensure that we qualify for the finals in Kenya (next year).
“There is a lot of potential in both the technical team and the players going forward and we saw no reason to disturb this momentum.
“We are happy with the work they are doing and as we head to Namibia, we wish them success again.
“On our part as ZIFA, we will strive to provide a smooth working environment to ensure continued success of all national teams and we remain indebted to ZPC Kariba and Dynamos for letting us have their coaches during the course of the season.”
Chidzambwa, who arrived back home from South Africa last night together with his victorious team, released his 18-member CHAN squad from Johannesburg.
The team is expected to leave for Windhoek on Friday.
The coach has retained some players from his victorious COSAFA Castle Cup team — Ngezi Platinum goalie Takabva Mawaya, defenders Ocean Mushure and Jimmy Tigere, midfielders Gerald Takwara, Liberty Chakoroma, Raphael Manuvire and Talent Chawapiwa as well as Highlanders forward Prince Dube.
In-form Black Rhinos goalkeeper Hebert Rusawo has finally been recognised as he gets his first national team call-up.
The coach, who was forced to do a balancing act during the COSAFA Castle Cup squad so that the Castle Lager Premiership would not be disrupted, this time had the luxury to choose more than one player from the local clubs.
Chidzambwa has picked two more players from DeMbare, roping in defender Obey Mwerahari and midfielder Emmanuel Mandiranga.
And CAPS United, whose players were overlooked for the South African tournament as they were busy with Champions League commitments, have contributed three players for this tie.
CAPS United have Brian Amidu, Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo and midfielder Moses Muchenje in the squad.
Chicken Inn leftback Devine Lunga makes an emotional return to the CHAN tournament exactly two years after he twisted his ligaments on his debut at Rufaro in the same qualifiers against Comoros in June 2015.
CHAN Squad Goalkeepers: Takabva Mawaya (Ngezi Platinum), Herbert Rusawo (Black Rhinos).
Defenders: Obey Mwerahari (Dynamos), Devine Lunga (Chicken Inn), Jimmy Dzingai (Yadah FC), Dennis Dauda (Yadah FC), Jimmy Tigere (Harare City).
Midfielders: Ocean Mushure (Dynamos), Moses Muchenje (CAPS United), Gerald Takwara (FC Platinum), Liberty Chakoroma (Ngezi Platinum), Talent Chawapihwa (FC Platinum), Emmanuel Mandiranga (Dynamos), Raphael Manuvire (ZPC Kariba), Ronald Chitiyo (Caps United).
Strikers: Abbas Amidu (CAPS United), Prince Dube (Highlanders), Terrence Dzukamanja (Ngezi Platinum).