NEW Warriors coach Klaus Dieter Pagels gets his first serious match on Wednesday when his new-look Zimbabwe takes on Botswana in an international friendly match at Rufaro Stadium.
He replaced Rahman Gumbo after the disastrous 2013 Africa Cup of Nations campaign last year and gets a preparatory match ahead of the March 22 World Cup 2014 qualifier against Egypt in Cairo.
“Everything is good so far. Although we only have two days of training, which is not enough, these are international rules for such matches. In future, we need to have more time in camp so that we can work on the philosophy I want from these players,” Pagels said on Tuesday.
“In modern football you need to build from the back and to build from the back you need to have really good centre backs and good midfielders who can control the ball well and play it to the next player. I don’t want defenders especially centre backs who play kick and rush.”
The team trained on Monday afternoon, and had another session on Tuesday morning before rains disrupted the afternoon session.
Camp has been smooth for Pagels with 21 of the 23 players called up. Quincy Antipas is out due to the injury while Rodreck Mutuma is sorting his work permit in South Africa after joining Bloemfontein Celtic.
Kaizer Chiefs star Matthew Rusike is in line for his debut after being called up and is expected to line up on the right wing with Khama Billiat operating from the left.
Knowledge Musona, based in Germany and Supersport United’s new signing Simba Sithole are favourites for the striking roles.
Goalkeeper Washington Arubi returns after the Asiagate ban together with Moroka Swallows defender Gilbert Mapemba.
Probable 11: W Arubi, G Mapemba, O Mushure, L Zvasiya, P Jaure, A Gutu, M Rusike K Billiat, D Mukamba, K Musona, S Sithole