Warriors captain Katsande omitted from Zimbabwe squad

Willard Katsande of Zimbabwe is challenged by Cheikhou Kouyate of Senegal during the Afcon Group B match between Senegal and Zimbabwe on the 19 January 2017 at Franceville Stadium, Gabon Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Friday May 26, 2017. 13:00

The Zimbabwean Football Association (ZIFA) have ensured that four key players are left out of the Warriors squad.

The Warriors will take on Liberia in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on the 11th of June 2017.

Four key players Willard Katsande, Cuthbert Malajila, Nyasha Mushekwi and Matthew Rusike were omitted from the Warriors squad by interim coach Norman Mapeza.

The quartet are believed to have led a protest against non-payment of bonuses prior to the 2017 AFCON finals in Gabon. Mapeza is said to have been told to omit the four players by the ZIFA bosses.

The Warriors are expected to host the Lone Stars at the National Sports Stadium in Zimbabwe's capital city, Harare. They are both in Group G along with DR Congo and Congo-Brazzaville.

Zimbabwe squad:

Goalkeepers:

Edmore Sibanda (CAPS United, Zimbabwe), Ariel Sibanda (Highlanders, Zimbabwe), Petros Mhari (FC Platinum)

Defenders:

Denis Dauda (CAPS United, Zimbabwe), Partson Jaure, Qadr Amin (both Ngezi Platinum, Zimbabwe), Onesimo Bhasera (SuperSport United), Teenage Hadebe (Chicken Inn, Zimbabwe), Jameson Mukombwe (Black Rhinos, Zimbabwe), Erick Chipeta (Ajax Cape Town), Sydney Linyama (Black Rhinos)

Midfielders:

Thabani Kamusoko (Young Africans, Tanzania), Devon Chafa, Ronald Chitiyo (both CAPS United, Zimbabwe), Simon Shoko (FC Platinum, Zimbabwe), Kuda Mahachi, Danny Phiri (both Golden Arrows), Khama Billiat (Mamelodi Sundowns), Marvelous Nakamba (Vittese Arnhem, Holland), Liberty Chakoroma (Ngezi Platinum, Zimbabwe), Ovidy Karuru (AmaZulu)

Strikers:

Tendai Ndoro (Orlando Pirates), Evans Rusike (Maritzburg United), Knowledge Musona (KV Oostende), Prince Dube (Highlanders, Zimbabwe)