Mapeza gives up on Bonne DeMbare breeze through
THE Warriors technical team has given up on Ipswich striker Macauley Bonne, who keeps rebuffing national team calls. Bonne was given a last chance by former Warriors coach Zdravco Logarusic ahead of the South Africa and Ethiopia matches, but he did not take up the chance, and failed to communicate.
Interim coach Norman Mapeza has not bothered trying given Bonne’s track record.
While Mapeza would have wanted to bring him in, insiders said the coach questions the player’s commitment.
Bonne is a holder of a Zimbabwean passport and has been capped twice.
He has scored seven goals for his League One side and on Tuesday, he grabbed a brace against Doncaster Rovers in a League match.
Yesterday, Zifa released the squad that has been called up by Mapeza, which sees the return of former Highlanders star Bruce Kangwa and Never Tigere, who are both at Azam.
Plymouth Argyle defender Brendan Galloway is in line to make his Warriors debut after he was named in the squad for the two matches against Ghana. Bournemouth’s Jordan Zemura is part of the squad while there was a surprise call up of FC Platinum’s Rahman Kutsanzira.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Marumo Giants), Martin Mapisa (Zamora CF), Talbert Shumba (Free State Stars).
Defenders: Alec Mudimu (Torpedo Kutais), Brendon Galloway (Plymouth Argyle), Bruce Kangwa (Azam), Onismor Bhasera (SuperSport), Rahman Kutsanzira (FC Platinum), Teenage Hadebe (Houston Dynamo), Tendayi Darikwa (Wigan)
Midfielders: Blessing Sarupinda (Sekhukhune), Farai Madhanaga (Marumo Giants), Kelvin Madzingwe (FC Platinum), Khama Billiat (Kaizer Chiefs), Kuda Mahachi (SuperSport), Marshal Munetsi (Reims), Marvelous Nakamba (Aston Villa), Never Tigere (Azam), perfect Chikwende (Simba SC), Thabani Kamusoko (Zesco),
Strikers: Knowledge Musona (Al-Tai), Knox Mutizwa (Golden Arrows), Terrence Dzvukamanja (Orlando Pirates
DYNAMOS . . . . . . .(1) 1
YADAH . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
DYNAMOS coach Tonderai Ndiraya will rest players for the upcoming group 1 Chibuku Super Cup matches after they secured a quarter-final berth with a win over Yadah yesterday.
Stephen Appiah scored the solitary goal which gave DeMbare maximum points in a match the Glamour Boys failed to impose themselves.
Yadah played a good game, but failed to convert the chances that came their way and consequently, they could surrender second position to Caps United, who face Harare City this afternoon.
A draw will elevate Caps to second position on the log. Only the top two teams from each of the four pools will advance to the last eight.
After yesterday’s match, Ndiraya acknowledged that Yadah had played well, but he was happy his team managed to grind out a positive result.
“I must say we are pleased that we got the three points, which have pushed us into the quarter-finals,” he said.
“I am happy with the outcome because it was a difficult game against Yadah. Physically, they were better than us. We were forced deep, but we managed to defend well and get a result. Yadah played well, but at the end of the day, it’s the result that matters the most. We got the win and out of 10 matches, we conceded one goal, which is good. We have qualified for the quarter-finals, which has always been the primary objective.”
DeMbare squandered a number of chances in the first half and could have scored at least four goals with better finishing.
Ndiraya said that after qualifying, they would look to give other players a chance to showcase their talent.
Before yesterday’s match, Ndiraya bemoaned the fitness levels in his squad after the teams were only afforded three weeks of training post a sports ban by the Sports and Recreation Commission.
He would have been pleased with the result that has given them breathing space at the top.
Yadah coach Genesis Mangombe admitted that his side was its own worst enemy after failing to utilise the chances it created.
He said that he was not pleased that with all the possession they had, they did not create enough chances.
“The last time we played Dynamos, we lost 4-0, so I am happy with the progress we have made,” he said.
“It was always going to be difficult, but I am happy that the youngsters responded well. Some of them were playing at this level for the first time. I think we still have a chance of going through to the next stage, we just need to do better in the final stage so that we can have a chance of collecting maximum points.”