The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi Sports Correspondent
TWO Mutare-born stars, Phenias Bamusi and Liberty Chakoroma, will battle it out with 26 other players as they vie for selection in the 2020 African Nations Championship finals squad of 23.
The senior men’s soccer team stepped up preparations for the tournament when a 28-member provisional team, announced earlier this month, trooped into camp for a 10-day drill which started on Monday and is expected to end next Thursday.
Croatian coach Zdravko Logarusic and his technical team of Joey Antipas, Lloyd Chitembwe and Tonderai Ndiraya are assessing the players before picking the travelling band for the battle set for Cameroon between April 4 and 25.
Bamusi prominently featured in the qualifiers played against Lesotho and Mauritius over two rounds. He even provided an assist for the campaign’s top scorer – Prince Dube.
However, Chakoroma is making a welcome return into the fold since his last run in 2018.
Both are confident of getting into the trimmed squad.
Phenias Bamusi
“Being part of this group is such an amazing experience. Just like during the qualifiers, I will continue working hard in order to help the team achieve its goal of making a mark at the tournament.
“This is only part of the journey, which continues with our return to the finals. We are gearing for that. We are working well with the new coach (Logarusic) and are keen to quickly assimilate his philosophy,” said Bamusi.
The former Mutare United speedster and 2019’s Soccer Star of the Year finalist was speaking to Post Sport from the Warriors’ camping base in Harare.
Utility man Chakoroma is keen to have his rekindled romance with the Warriors last for long.
Said the La-Sakubva juniors’ product: “It feels good to be back among the Warriors after being on the sidelines for nearly two years. I am encouraged by this call-up and it shows that I have been doing the right things at my club. That has earned me this recognition.
“It is also an honour that challenges me to keep improving and raising my game so that I stay at the highest level. My desire is to reward the coaches that have shown confidence in me by delivering.
“As players, this is our opportunity to get to know each other better and learn from the coaches. So far so good, we are taking it one step at a time. We are enjoying the work-out in this system,” said Chakoroma.
The former Young Warriors captain is looking forward to using his experience and versatility to play in both defence and midfield to gatecrash his way back into the team.
Bamusi and Chakoroma, both former Buffaloes players, are likely to make the grade for the Chan squad.
At club level, the duo has worked under Antipas, Chitembwe and Ndiraya.
