Zimbabwe coach Sunday Chidzambwa has called up two Kaizer Chiefs players to his 23-man squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, while Willard Katsande missed out once again.
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The Warriors will face the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a double-header next week, and Chidzambwa's squad includes as many as 13 players from South Africa's PSL. Amakhosi duo Khama Billiat and Teenage Hadebe were among the players called up, while Katsande was left out.
Reports suggested that the former Warriors captain was banned by the Zimbabwean FA (ZIFA) for allegedly citing a protest over the non-payment of bonuses last year, but ZIFA spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela dismissed those claims recently.
"Chidzambwa is free to call anyone he wants to be part of his team," Gwesela told the Herald in August.
"ZIFA takes pride in the independence of our coaches, we do not interfere in team selection, and coaches use their own discretion in selecting players."
Katsande himself, who initially retired from the national team in January 2017, said he would return to the team should the coach believe he would add value in their AFCON qualifiers, but, for now, Chidzambwa has opted to continue without him.
Here is Zimbabwe's squad in full, as reported by ESPN:
Goalkeepers: George Chigova (Polokwane City); Donovan Bernard (Ngezi Platinum Stars); Edmore Sibanda (Witbank Spurs)
Defenders: Divine Xolile Lunga (Lamontville Golden Arrows); Tendayi David Darikwa (Nottingham Forest); Alec Takunda Mudimu (CEFN Druids AFC); Tapiwa Ronald Pfumbidzai (Bloemfontein Celtic); Teenage Lingani Hadebe (Kaizer Chiefs); Kevin Njabulo Moyo (FC Platinum); Eric Chipeta (Cape Umoya United); Byron Madzokere (Yadah Stars)
Midfielders: Marshal Nyasha Munetsi (Orlando Pirates); Tafadzwa Raphael Kutinyu (Azam); Danny Phiri (Lamontville Golden Arrows); Richard Hachiro (Herentals); Leeroy Mavunga (Yadah Stars); Ovidy Karuru (AmaZulu); Marvellous Nakamba (Club Brugge KV)
Forwards: Khama Billiat (Kaizer Chiefs); Talent Chawapihwa (Baroka); Knowledge Musona (RSC Anderlecht); Evans Rusike (SuperSport United); Knox Mutizwa (Lamontville Golden Arrows)
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The Warriors opened their campaign with a 3-0 home win over Liberia, before picking up a point in a 1-1 in Congo-Brazzaville last month. Chidzambwa's side currently sit in joint-first spot, with DRC in Group G, with the top two nations qualifying for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Do you think Billiat can lead Zimbabwe to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations? Have your say in the comments section below.
