ZIMBABWE senior men’s soccer team hunt for a seventh Cosafa Cup title has been marred by injuries to some of the key players called up in camp, with three more dropping on the eve of departure.
The Warriors leave for South Africa tomorrow without Evans Rusike, Perfect Chikwende and Godknows Murwira, the latest additions on a growing list of injured players.
Delic Murimba and Ben Musaka have been called in as last-minute replacements for Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic.
The Warriors take on Mozambique in their opening match of the campaign on Thursday. They will be up against Namibia on Sunday before winding off their group stage matches against Senegal next Wednesday.
Warriors manager Wellington Mpandare said it has been an indifferent camp for the team.
“The team is expected to leave for South Africa tomorrow morning. All these players had shown passion and hunger to represent the country well in the tournament, but sadly, they will now have to stay behind and nurse their injuries,” said Mpandare.
“It is the technical team’s hope that those called in as replacements will still do the duty and ensure that the team negotiates the initial round of the tournament, taking it one game at a time. We have won this tournament more than any other team, so that should inspire the guys to do well regardless of the setback brought about by the injuries.”
