Tendai Ndoro called up to Zimbabwe squad for Afcon qualifier

Tendai Ndoro of Orlando Pirates during the Absa Premiership match between Supersport United and Orlando Pirates on 11 August 2015 at Peter Mokaba Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix

ORLANDO Pirates forward Tendai Ndoro’s recent goalscoring prowess has finally attracted the attention of the Zimbabwe national team selectors.

The Buccaneers striker has been recalled for The Warriors’ 2017 African Nations Cup qualifier against Malawi to be played over the first weekend of June.

Ndoro has enjoyed a good run this year at Pirates leading The Bucs’ mini-revival which started late in February and stretched to April.

His goals have been the reason why Pirates are in the Nedbank Cup final this weekend.

In the squad announced today by coach Callisto Pasuwa, KICK OFF Footballer of the Season Khama Billiat headlines the cast of PSL stars that have been called up.

Billiat has fellow PSL-based teammates in Onismor Bhasera, Willard Katsande, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Evans Rusike and Cuthbert Malajila.

The Warriors lead Group L by three points and will automatically qualify for Gabon next year if they win against The Flames and Swaziland and Guinea play out a draw in the other penultimate group match to be played over the same weekend.

Prior to playing Malawi, Zimbabwe will square off with Uganda in a friendly match next Tuesday.

Afcon qualifiers squad

Goalkeepers: Tatenda Mukuruva (Dynamos, Zimbabwe), Donovan Bernard (How Mine), Tapiwa Chilenga (Triangle)

Defenders: Costa Nhamoinesu (Sparta Prague, Czech Republic), Lawrence Mhlanga, Teenage Hadebe (both Chicken Inn, Zimbabwe), Hardlife Zvirekwi (CAPS United, Zimbabwe), Bruce Kangwa (Highlanders, Zimbabwe), Onismor Bhasera (BidVest Wits), Elisha Muroiwa (Dynamos, Zimbabwe), Blessing Moyo (Harare City, Zimbabwe)

Midfielders: Willard Katsande (Kaizer Chiefs), Marvelous Nakamba (Vitesse Arnhem, Holland), Danny Phiri, Tafadzwa Kutinyu (both Chicken Inn, Zimbabwe), Kudakwashe Mahachi (Golden Arrows), Marshall Mudehwe (FC Platinum, Zimbabwe), Farai Madhananga (Harare City, Zimbabwe), Dzikamai Gwaze (Gornik Zabrze, Poland)

Strikers: Knowledge Musona (KV Oostende, Belgium), Nyasha Mushekwi (Dalian Yifang, China), Cuthbert Malajila, Khama Billiat (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Evans Rusike (Maritzburg United), Matthew Rusike (Helsingborgs IF, Sweden), Tendai Ndoro (Orlando Pirates)

Also announced today in Harare is the Zimbabwe squad to play in the Cosafa Castle Cup to be played in Namibia from June 11-25.

Zimbabwe will start off in the group stages against Swaziland, Seychelles and Madagascar.

The only foreign-based player called up to this squad for the regional tournament is Jomo Cosmos forward Charlton Mashumba.

Cosafa Castle Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Tatenda Mukuruva (Dynamos, Zimbabwe), Donovan Bernard (How Mine), Nelson Chadya (Ngezi Platinum)

Defenders: Lawrence Mhlanga, Teenage Hadebe (both Chicken Inn, Zimbabwe), Hardlife Zvirekwi, Ronald Pfumbidzai (both CAPS United, Zimbabwe), Bruce Kangwa (Highlanders, Zimbabwe), Elisha Muroiwa (Dynamos, Zimbabwe), Blessing Moyo (Harare City, Zimbabwe), William Stima (Tsholotsho, Zimbabwe)

Midfielders: Danny Phiri, Tafadzwa Kutinyu (both Chicken Inn, Zimbabwe), Marshall Mudehwe, Hillary Bakacheza (both FC Platinum, Zimbabwe), Farai Madhananga, Raphael Manuvire (both Harare City, Zimbabwe), Nqobizitha Masuku (FC Platinum, Zimbabwe), King Nadolo (Highlanders, Zimbabwe), Talent Chawaphiwa (ZPC Kariba, Zimbabwe)

Strikers: Mitchell Katsvairo, Obadiah Tarumbwa (both Chicken Inn, Zimbabwe), William Manondo (Harare City, Zimbabwe), Walter Musona (FC Platinum), Charlton Mashumba (Jomo Cosmos) – KickOff.com