HARARE – Tendayi Darikwa could finally put on the Zimbabwe jersey next month after getting a call-up from Sunday Chidzambwa for the back-to-back clashes with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Zimbabwe lead the African Cup of Nations Group G with four points, the same number as the DRC, while Congo and Liberia are third and fourth, respectively, with a point apiece.
Chidzambwa hopes Darikwa, who wears the colours of Nottingham Forest in the Championship in England, can steady his defence in the troublesome right back position.
Despite previous call-ups, Darikwa has not featured because he did not have a Zimbabwean passport. Chidzambwa says he has been told the player will have his passport before the first match in the DRC on October 13. The reverse fixture will be played on October 16 in Harare.
Club Brugge attacking midfielder Marvellous Nakamba returns from injury, after missing the 1-1 draw away to Congo on September 9.
There is no place in the squad for Orlando Pirates winger Kudakwashe Mahachi. Chidzambwa cited his lack of game time at the South African club for the snub.
Midfielder Ovidy Karuru, who plays for AmaZulu in South Africa, also returns from injury and Chidzambwa feels he has a “much stronger team” than the one he took to Brazzaville.
Yadah Stars winger Leeroy Mavunga has also forced his way back into the reckoning after missing the tour of Congo and is one of only four local players to have made the grade in the squad. The others are Mavunga’s Yadah Stars teammate Byron Madzokore, Herentals midfielder Richard Hachiro and Ngezi Platinum Stars goalkeeper Donovan Bernard, who has largely provided cover for Polokwane City’s George Chigova and Witbank’s Edmore Sibanda.
Squad:
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)
Strikers: Khama Billiat (Kaizer Chiefs); Talent Chawapihwa (Baroka); Knowledge Musona (RSC Anderlecht); Evans Rusike (SuperSport United); Knox Mutizwa (Lamontville Golden Arrows)
