Kickoff (Cape Town)
28 August 2008
Orlando Pirates' veteran striker Gilbert Mushangazhike will lead the Zimbabwe attack in the absence of skipper Benjani Mwaruwari in the 2010 African Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifier match against Guinea on 7 September.
Zimbabwe's Brazilian coach Valinhos also retained his confidence on Platinum Stars goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini, who has been recalled and will compete for the position with his Bidvest Wits compatriot Energy Murambadoro.
Mwaruwari has a groin injury which has also forced the Manchester City striker to sit out the start of the 2008-09 English Premiership season.
South Africa-based Warriors striker Kingstone Nkatha has been axed from the squad after failing to impress in the past few games.
"The coach feels Nkatha did not satisfy him as well as he would have wanted, so he will consider him in future assignments, but certainly not for this game," Zimbabwe manager Shariff Mussa told the local press.
Mushangazhike is the only surviving striker from the attack that started this World Cup campaign for Zimbabwe.
Mushangazhike's brace against Namibia at Rufaro on June 8 are the only goals that the Warriors have to show for the four games they have played so far.
Kapini was included in the team which beat Botswana 1-0 in an international friendly and impressed Valinhos.
As usual Mamelodi Sundowns anchorman Esrom Nyandoro and his Kaizer Chiefs counterpart Tinashe Nengomasha will be expected to travel to Zimbabwe for the encounter.
The Warriors were left in a tight spot after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Kenya at Rufaro, a week after they slumped to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the same Harambee Stars side in Nairobi in June.
The squad:
Goalkeepers: E. Murambadoro, T. Kapini, E. Sibanda
Defenders: D. Kutyauripo, N. Kaseke, O. Bhasera, Z. Jambo, J. Matola, Z. Makonese, O. Moyo, G. Banda
Midfielders: E. Nyandoro, J. Majabvi, C. Matawu, T. Nengomasha, O. Karuru, J. Antipas, J. Luphahla, J. Ngwenya
Strikers: E. Sadomba, C. Malajila, G. Mushangazhike, M. Mguni.
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