Zim, SA to include overseas-based players for Cosafa

Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) Cup champions Zimbabwe and hosts South Africa are set to include overseas-based players for the regional showpiece scheduled for May 27 to June 9 in Polokwane, South Africa.

According to www.cosafa.com, Zimbabwe’s Belgium-based captain Knowledge Musona is set to headline one of the strongest squads assembled by the Warriors as they look to stretch their impressive record in the tournament.

Coach Sunday Chidzambwa wants the Warriors to successfully defend the championship they won for a record fifth time last year and is considering a blend of experienced players and new faces for the competition.

Zimbabwe team manager Wellington Mpandare confirmed to www.cosafa.com on Monday that Musona was definitely in the coach’s plans.

He said the Warriors coach intends to bring Musona and a host of Zimbabwe’s foreign legion for the tournament which the champions will join at the quarter-final stage.

Bafana Bafana mentor Stuart Baxter has also named a preliminary squad of 34 which includes two Europe-based forwards— Luther Singh (SC Braga B‚ Portugal) and Lebo Mothiba (Lille‚ France)—as well as  Egypt-based Gift Links (Alassiouty Sport) and Phakamani Mahlambi (Al Ahly).

Flames coach Ronny van Geneugden (RVG) has said the development demonstrates that the other teams are taking the tournament seriously.

“That is why I said we need a blend of experienced and upcoming players. We definitely need to include our key foreign-based players that will be available,” he said.

But Flames captain Limbikani ‘Pupa’ Mzava recently suggested the need to consider only local-based players for the tournament.