Katsande to captain warriors…match live on SS3

Kaizer Chiefs midfield anchorman Willard Katsande will captain Zimbabwe

KAIZER Chiefs midfield anchorman Willard Katsande will captain Zimbabwe in their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Malawi at Chichiri Stadium in Blantyre on Saturday.

This is the first time that Katsande has been asked to lead his national side.

“He is a natural leader and very experienced at this level of the game. With him as the leader, I expect discipline from the players both on and off the field of play,” says coach Kalisto Pasuwa.

Katsande himself is delighted. “It is an honour to captain your national side and I am honoured to get this chance. I hope we win the game.”

Katsande is one of six South Africa-based players who will represent the Warriors against the Flames.

Mamelodi Sundowns dominate the squad with three players in the shape of Khama Billiat, Kuda Mahachi and Cuthbert Malajila.

Katsande’s Chiefs team-mate Matthew Rusike had been called into the side but is not available for the Warriors through injury.

Knowledge Musona, who made his name while turning out for Amakhosi, has also been recalled after last turning out for Zimbabwe in an ill-fated 2015 Afcon qualifier against Tanzania.

In fact, the Zimbabwean team is dominated by players who ply their trade in South African football, as Partson Jaure of University of Pretoria and Eric Chipeta of Chippa United are also part of the squad.

Of the eight foreign-based players in the squad only Marvelous Nakamba, who plays for Vitesse in the Netherlands, has not played for a South
African club.

Apart from Malawi, the Warriors are also in the same group with Guinea and Swaziland. One team from the group qualifies for the finals.

The top two placed runners up from all 13 groups also qualify to join hosts Gabon who qualify automatically.

Zimbabwe are desperate to qualify for Afcon after missing out on the past five editions. The Warriors last qualified for the Nations Cup in 2006. – Kick-off

Meanwhile, Multichoice on Thursday said the match will be shown live on SuperSport. Viewers will be able to watch the game from the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre from 2.15pm on SuperSport 3, with kick-off at 2.30pm.