Warriors expect British cavalry in Ghana

THE Warriors expect to have a full-strength squad, which includes their UK-based cavalry for the 2022 World Cup qualifier against the Black Stars in Ghana next month.

However, forward Khama Billiat will miss the first match, in Ghana, after picking his second yellow card although he will be available for the return match in Harare.

Expectations are still high the UK-based players could also feature in the match at the National Sports Stadium after Brazil drafted their player, from the English Premiership, for their World Cup qualifiers next month.

The Brazilians said they were banking on the negotiations that FIFA have been holding with British authorities.

The South Americans reached a deal with the world football controlling body not to enforce sanctions for those who did not fly home for the last qualifiers.

The Warriors team management believe whatever discussions going on will also result in them benefiting, with all their UK-based stars available for both matches against Ghana.

Brazil named Alisson, Ederson, Fabinho, Fred, Gabriel Jesus, Raphinha, Emerson and Thiago Silva in their squad for next month’s qualifiers even though the South American country is on the red-list in terms of the UK protocols.

“We have a 12.30 kick- off at Watford ( October 16). The game in Brazil is on Friday night (October 15), so obviously nobody has thought about that yet,’’ Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, told the British media last week.

“I know it’s a Liverpool problem and nobody else’s problem, and good for Watford.

“But, I just don’t know how you can do these kind of things where nobody reacts on the schedule. Another thing, it’s not good for the players, or the clubs, as well and I hope the Government comes up with some kind of solution.”

Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola, also addressed the issue on Friday.

“What I will say is that we are more than grateful for the Brazil players to go to their national team, like we always have been and like we always will be.

“There is the rule or law that you have to (let them go) but it is also a pleasure.’’

The Warriors foreign-based players are set to fly straight to Ghana for the assignment against the Black Stars.

Interim coach, Norman Mapeza, is expected to announce his squad today.

Team manager, Wellington Mpandare, yesterday said they were still targeting, at least eight players from England, for the assignments.

Ghana, unlike Zimbabwe, are in the amber list and the UK-based players will not need to undergo the mandatory 10-day quarantine, when they return to their bases.

“The squad will be announced tomorrow (today). We should have done it earlier but there are still some confirmations from FIFA that we are still waiting for,’’ said Mpandare.

“We know FIFA have been engaging with the English Football Association and the UK government, over the issue of Covid19 quarantine exemptions for the players that are expected to be released, during the October window.

“Chances are high that we will get the foreign-based players for the away game in Ghana but the challenge still remains whether or not they will be able to come here for the return leg.

“The plan is to call in 23 players for the two games and we have about eight of them coming from countries, where we are facing the challenges.

“So, if we are to lose eight players from the first leg, then it means we are left with 15 players. So, we have been discussing with the technical team to see how best to plug this gap.’’

The Black Stars are scheduled to host Zimbabwe at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on October 9 before they travel to Harare for the return encounter, three days later.

Zimbabwe were unable to get about 10 players from the United Kingdom, and America, in match against South Africa and Ethiopia, in the opening matches of Group G qualifiers.

Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, in- form Bournemouth leftback Jordan Zemura, Tendayi Darikwa, Brendan Galloway, Admiral Muskwe and David Moyo failed to pitch up for the two matches.

Ghana also missed key players like Daniel Amartey, Abdul Baba Rahman, Andy Yiadom, Jordan Ayew and Jeffrey Schlupp for the away tie against South Africa, and lost 0-1. FIFA revealed that they are holding talks with the English FA, the Premier League and the UK government to allow the players to travel to red-listed countries, during the next international window.

The Warriors are hoping to recover from a slow start, which has seen them draw at home against South Africa, and then lose 0-1 away to Ethiopia, leading to the dismissal of hapless Croatian coach Zdravko Logarusic.

Zimbabwe occupy the last spot, in Group G, with one point, and have appointed Mapeza to try and revive the faltering campaign.

Ghana have also named a new coach, Milovan Rajevac, who replaced Charles Akonnor.