FINALLY after a long struggle, sanity returned to the soccer national team camp after Kalisto Pasuwa was paid his dues over the weekend by the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) before he assumed duty.
The successful coach had walked away from the team albeit with a heavy heart after the country’s soccer-governing body ZIFA reneged on its promise to pay him for services rendered.
He demanded to be paid his outstanding salary arrears before he could continue leading the national team.
It was reported that Pasuwa was owed more than US$10 000.
With a good track record and a deep understanding of local players as well as those plying their trade abroad, ZIFA could not afford to lose Pasuwa and duly buckled to his demands.
The former Dynamos gaffer is the most successful Premier Soccer League coach in the land so far, claiming four league titles in a row.
As national team coach, Pasuwa has lost one game to South Africa in the Under-23 Olympic qualifiers that were marred by poor preparations.
In spite of poor administration by ZIFA, Pasuwa surprised the nation with victories in the matches he presided over.
The first Group L match of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Malawi was dogged by poor preparations, but the Warriors went on to win 2-1.
After a gruelling journey by bus, the Warriors had no time for adequate rest.
With a coach performing well under such conditions, ZIFA knew that they could not get a better coach.
The gaffer has since announced a strong team ahead of the second Group L match against Guinea next week.
Pasuwa called seven European-based players, Tendai Darikwa of Leeds United, Costa Nhamoinesu from Sparta Prague, Bonnie Macauley of Colchester United, Quincy Antipas of Hobro IK, Knowledge Musona of KV Oostende, Mathew Rusike of Halmstads BK and Nyasha Mushekwi of Djugardens IF.
Several players from the Super Diski made it into Pasuwa’s wish-list including former Dynamos goalie Washington Arubi who is now at Pretoria United and his teammate Partson Jaure, Milton Ncube of Ajax Cape Town, Willard Katsande of Kaizer Chiefs, Sundowns trio of Khama Billiat, Cuthbert Malajila and Kuda Mahachi complete the list of South Africa-based players.
Tatenda Munditi of Harare City is one of the few locally-based players who received a Warriors call-up.
Hardlife Zvirekwi and Justice Jangano both of CAPS United, Chicken Inn trio of goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, Danny Phiri and Edmore Chirambadare and defender Teenage Hadebe of Highlanders have been called up.
On paper the national team is strong and it’s up to ZIFA to afford the national team resources that will enable them to adequately prepare for the match.
Guinea lost their opening match after Swaziland shocked them 2-1.
The match was played in Egypt as the West-African state was deemed dangerous to host home matches owing to the Ebola outbreak.

Warriors Squad

Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (University of Pretoria), Elvis Chipezeze (Chicken Inn), Tatenda Munditi (Harare City)
Defenders: Hardlife Zvirekwi (Caps United), Tendai Darikwa (Leeds United) Milton Ncube (Ajax Cape Town) Costa Nhamoinesu (Sparta Prague), Patson Jaure (University of Pretoria), Teenage Hadebe (Highlanders), Justice Jangano (Caps United)
Midfielders: Willard Katsande (Kaizer Chiefs), Danny Phiri (Chicken Inn), Bonnie Macauley (Colchester United), Cuthbert Malajila (Sundowns), Khama Billiat (Sundowns), Kuda Mahachi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Quincy Antipas (Hobro IK)
Strikers: Edmore Chirambadare (Chicken Inn), Knowledge Musona (K.V. Oostende), Mathew Rusike (Halmstads BK), Nyasha Mushekwi (Djurgårdens IF)