MAMELODI Sundowns winger Kudakwashe Mahachi returns to lead Zimbabwe’s new generation of youngsters as they visit Morocco for an international friendly on Saturday. 
Zimbabwe, who are now looking forward to qualifying for All-Africa Games and the 2016 Sydney Olympic Games, will play their under-23 team for the encounter, while Morocco are expected to field the strongest possible line-up on the day.
Mahachi will perhaps be the most recognisable face in the Zimbabwean squad which also include three products from the country’s Diaspora.
Coach Calisto Pasuwa has called up highly-rated Leeds United Academy striker Munyaradzi Mbanje, Northampton’s David Moyo and Macauley Miles Bonne of Colchester United.
Former Bantu Rovers midfielder Marvellous Nakamba, now on the books of Dutch top-flight side Vitesse, has also been included in the squad.
Pasuwa has, however, decided to exclude in-form forward Walter Musona, along with his club-mates Kelvin Moyo and Wisdom Mutasa, who will all participate in FC Platinum’s Chibuku Super Cup final clash against Harare City this weekend.
The midfield duo of Nqobizitha Masuku and Praise Tonha, along with central defenders Liberty Chikoroma and Rodwell Mhlanga, have also been left out as the coach look to try different combinations.
The Moroccans have included a host of their European-based stars for this encounter which was meant to be part of preparations for next year’s troubled Afcon tournament.
Bayern Munich centre-half Mehdi Benatia is part of Morocco squad which also include La Liga based players Issame El Adoua, Nourdin Amrabat and Yassine Bounou, among others.
Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela said that they are also looking to arrange a friendly match against Iran in December.
“Zifa is keen to ensure that the Olympic team gets all the game time they require in order to become a force to be reckoned with on the continent,” Gwesela told a local daily newspaper.
Zimbabwe Squad :Tatenda Mukuruva (Dynamos), Benard Donovan (How Mine), Blessing Moyo (Dynamos), Teenage Hadebe (Bantu Rovers), Douglas Sibanda (Shabanie), Keith Tafadzwa Mavhunga (ZPC Kariba), Tapiwa Ronald Pfumbidzai (Caps United), Takudzwa Chimwemwe (Harare City), Emmanuel Kudakwashe Mandiranga (How Mine), Gabriel Nyoni (Highlanders), Carlos Rodwell Rusere (DC Academy), Pritchard Mpelele (Hwange), Tinashe Charles Mukanhairi (Caps United), Kudakwashe Mahachi (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Macauley Miles Bonne (Colchester United), Munyaradzi Mbanje (Leeds United, England), David Philani Moyo (Northampton, England), Marvelous Nakamba (Vitesse FC, Netherlands).Advertisement