With just less than a month before the decisive FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Ghana in Kumasi, Herve Renard begins the countdown to the September 6 match which is set to herald a new football era when 20 of his ‘blazing guns’ travel to Paris for an international practice match against top west african opposition.
That squad of 20 which will play Senegal on Wednesday 14 August has upto five top strikers. But those five do not include Orlando Pirates Collins Mbesuma, FAZ Spokesperson Erick Mwanza has announced at a press conference at Football House.
“For the game against Senegal in Paris, coach Herve Renard has called 20 players for this international match which continues in our long standing policy of utilizing every available FIFA international calendar dates. As we are scheduled to fly into France on Sunday and have a qualifier on the same day in Zimbabwe, our technical team will be divided into two with one half going to Harare and the other flying into Paris to start the training for Senegal” Mwanza said adding: “Its important for us to win in Harare but not so much in Paris because for the match in France, its getting together as a squad, as a unit, as a family that is more important than the final score. Its about us getting together and reminding ourselves of the challenge the president (FAZ chief) Kalusha gave the squad in June; and that is to prepare mentally and be ready for battle of Kumasi.”
The technical staff and players bound for France will fly to Paris soon after the CHAN qualifier in Harare.
He said the Zimbabwe FA had refused to move the CHAN qualifier to Saturday.
On players not called for the Paris friendly, Mwanza said: “Collins has not been named together with a number of other players but that doesn’t mean its the end for them. Theyre still under consideration for Kumasi,” Mwanza said.
The full squad:
MWEENE Kennedy, MUNYAU Danny, MUNTHALI Christopher, MUSONDA Joseph, NKAUSU Davies, CHAMA Bronson, SUNZU Stoppila, HIMONDEE Hichani, MTONGA Kondwani, KABASO Chongo, SINKALA Nathan, KALABA Rainford, LUNGU Chisamba, KATONGO Christopher, TEMBO Fwayo, MULENGA Jacob, MAYUKA Emmanuel, MWAPE Bornwell, CHAMANGA James, MBEWE Festus