James Matola, the South Africa-based defence stalwart, will lead Zimbabwe's quest for a fourth title, when the Warriors plunge into Cosafa Castle Cup battle in Maputo, Mozambique, at the weekend. The bald-headed Supersport United centre-back, was the only foreign-based player in an 18-member squad released by national coach Charles Mhlauri on Wednesday.Matola, who captained Zimbabwe to their last...
James Matola, the South Africa-based defence stalwart, will lead Zimbabwe's quest for a fourth title, when the Warriors plunge into Cosafa Castle Cup battle in Maputo, Mozambique, at the weekend.
The bald-headed Supersport United centre-back, was the only foreign-based player in an 18-member squad released by national coach Charles Mhlauri on Wednesday.
Matola, who captained Zimbabwe to their last Cosafa Castle Cup title in 2005, was included in the youthful side, to "add a bit of experience" to the side, according to Mhlauri.
"When the Cosafa competition was mooted, it was basically to help build the region's profile, by using the competition as a launch-pad for players, before fully graduating into the senior side.
That is why the team we are taking to Mozambique is largely made-up of players below the age of 23 years, as we would want to groom a team for the future," Mhlauri said.
The Warriors, who have been drawn in Group A alongside Madagascar, the Seychelles and Mozambique, would want to prevail in the pool, setting a date with winners of the other two groups- Group b and Group C-, as well as 2006 champions, Zambia, in the semi-finals, later in the year.
Zimbabwe play Madagascar in a midday showdown on Saturday 28 April, while Mozambique and the Seychelles, take to the field, in a late kick-off, the same day.
Winners of the two ties play in a "final" on Sunday, to decide who goes on to represent Group A.
Zimbabwe won their third regional title when Mhlauri first took charge of the Warriors in 2005, after the departure of then Warriors coach Rahman Gumbo.
The Warriors beat old rivals Zambia 1-0 in the final at Mmabatho stadium, Swaziland, courtesy of a quality strike from attacking linkman Francis Chandida.
But the dreadlocked coach failed to defend the regional title in 2006, falling to Angola at the National Sports Stadium in Harare, in the semi-finals.
"Football is about winning competitions, and whilst it was disappointing not to defend the title last year, the overall performance of the team, was quite encouraging. We are taking a young squad which also blends some experience...obviously we wouldn't want to go to Maputo just to make up the numbers," Mhlauri declared, on the eve of the team's departure.
The Warriors leave for Maputo on Thursday and return home Monday evening.
Zimbabwe squad: Goalkeepers Tafadzwa Dube (Masvingo), Washington Arubi
(Highlanders).
Defenders
James Matola (Supersport United, South Africa), David
Kutyauripo (Caps United), Zephaniah Ngodzo
(Highlanders), Method Mwanjali (Caps United), Obert
Moyo (Hwange)
Midfielders
Justice Majabvi (Dynamos), Carrington Gomba (Hwange),
Ali Sadiki (Harare United), Clement Matawu (Motor
Action)
Strikers: Zhaimu Jambo (Gunners), Edward Sadomba
(Dynamos), Washington Pakamisa (Caps United), Kingston
Nketa (Caps FC), Obediah Tarumbwa (Highlanders), Peter
Mubaiwa (Harare United), Benjamin Marere (Mwana
Africa)
Group A: In Maputo, Mozambique
28/04/07:
Madagascar v Zimbabwe
Mozambique v Seychelles
29/04/07:
Final: Madagascar or Zimbabwe v Mozambique or
Seychelles
3rd place: Madagascar or Zimbabwe v Mozambique or
Seychelles
Previous champions:
1997: Zambia
1998: Zambia
1999: Angola
2000: Zimbabwe
2001: Angola
2002: South Africa
2003: Zimbabwe
2004: Angola
2005: Zimbabwe
2006: Zambia