Roadworks, selection spat disrupt Warriors' pre-departure

Patience Muchemwa

The Zimbabwe National Senior Football Team, affectionately known as the Warriors,  experienced a pre-departure hiccup this morning. 

Their attempt to spend last night at the ZIFA Village in Mt Hampden was foiled by ongoing roadworks along Lomagundi Road.

According to sources, the team bus, courtesy of Simba Bhora, was unable to navigate the impassable route, forcing a late-night relocation to the Ambassador Hotel in the Harare CBD last night.

 This resulted in a less-than-ideal sleep schedule for the Warriors, who departed for South Africa at 11 am.

 The late departure adds another layer to the ongoing tension between the ZIFA National Committee and the Premier Soccer League 

 The PSL reportedly requested a restriction on player selection to a maximum of two per team. However, National Coach Jairos Tapera selected three players from his club, Manica Diamonds, while also picking two players each from transport sponsors Simba Bhora (Ngezi Platinum) and the clubs of assistant coaches Takesure Chiragwi (Ngezi Platinum) and Saul Chaminuka (Green Fuel).

Players from Dynamos, Caps United and Highlanders Highlanders rounded out the squad.