Zimbabwe Warriors’ coach Baltemor Brito was given an opportunity to assess players ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers set for November.
ZIFA failed to secure an international friendly match during the FIFA international break.
However, the Warriors had to arrange a training camp and a light sparring match with the youthful select from the country’s second-tier division.
Surprisingly, they lost 3-1 to the division select, which John Toto coached.
Only six players that play outside Zimbabwe have been in camp since Friday. Veteran goalkeeper Washington Arubi, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Knox Mutizwa, Devine Lunga, Never Tigere, and Munashe Garananga,
In a statement released by ZIFA, it said this was an initiative to give as many players as possible a chance to please the technical team.
“The 4-day Warriors training camp organized to give Warriors coach Baltemar Brito an opportunity to assess players ahead of World Cup qualifiers in November ended on Monday.
“The coach and his staff worked with 20 players through 4 extensive training sessions, including a training game with a Northern region soccer league select.
“This was a second initiative organized by the association and the Warriors technical team to give as many players as possible a chance to audition for a place in Brito’s team for the World Cup qualifiers.
“On 30 September, a Warriors team made up of locally based players squared off with Botswana in a training game.
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Warriors will face Rwanda (A) and Nigeria (H) on 13 and 21 November 2023 respecitively.
Below are the players who were part of the training camp
Goalkeepers
Washington Arubi, Godknows Gurure
Defenders
Munashe Garananga, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Peter Muduhwa, Godknows Murwira, Divine Lunga, Xolani Ndlovu, Frank Makarati
Midfielders
Tatenda Tavengwa, Tanaka Shandirwa, Never Tigere , Phenias Bamusi, Takunda Benhura, Gerald Bero, Shepherd Mhlanga, Sylvastar Munhira, Bret Amidu
Forwards
Obriel Chirinda, Knox Mutizwa