WARRIORS interim coach Jairosi Tapera has received a major boost ahead of his team’s back-to-back World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and South Africa next week after Wolverhampton star Tawanda Chirewa confirmed his availability for the two crucial matches.
The hugely talented 20-year-old was named in the 23-men squad for the two matches following his superb season for the English Premier League, where he made 10 senior team appearances.
But his availability was in doubt after he turned down a previous Zimbabwe call-up.
The English-born star was set for his Warriors debut after being included in the squad for the four-nations tournament in Malawi last March.
He, however, asked to be excused for the international assignment as he wanted to work on earning a first team place in the Wolves squad.
Tapera yesterday told NewsDay Sport that Chirewa had made himself available and would be one of the first players to report for camp, which gets underway on Sunday in South Africa.
“I spoke to him yesterday [Wednesday] and he assured me that he is available. He told me that he is travelling today [Thursday] and arriving in South Africa on Friday (today) evening,” Tapera said.
“It’s good for Zimbabwe football to have such a player in the squad who plays at the level he is playing. The English Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world, if not the best, so for him to be playing in that league shows that he is very good. It's unfortunate that we have limited time to work with all the players because making combinations in a team needs some time. I would have wanted more time with the players, but such is the nature of international football. I expect him and all the other players to quickly fit in the system," the Manica Diamonds gaffer said.
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Chirewa enjoyed a breakthrough season with Wolves in the just-ended campaign, a club he joined in December last year.
He featured in 10 matches for Wolves including eight league appearances, starting in one. He made two appearances in the FA Cup.
His last league match appearance came on May 4 against Manchester City.
Chirewa is one of seven England-based players who were included in the Warriors squad, together with Brendan Galloway, Shane Maroodza, Andy Rinemhota, Tivonge Rushesha, Joey Phuthi and Leicester City's Tawanda Maswanhise.
The Warriors camp is expected to start on Sunday in Johannesburg ahead of the match against Lesotho at the Orlando Stadium on Friday.
The match kicks off at 1pm.
Zimbabwe, who are looking for their first victory of this World Cup campaign following two draws against Rwanda and Nigeria in the opening two matches, will then face off with Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein on Tuesday in a 6pm kick off.
Warriors squad
Goalkeepers: Bernard Donovan (Chicken Inn), Martin Mapisa (Dynamos), Geofrey Chitsumba (Manica Diamonds).
Defenders: Gerald Takwara (Ohod, Saudi Arabia), Teenage Hadebe (Konyaspor, Turkey), Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle, ENG), Munashe Garananga (Kv Mechelen, Belgium), Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders), Godknows Murwira (Caps United), Shane Maroodza (Huddersfield, ENG), Devine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns, SA).
Midfielders: Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims, (FR), Andy Rinemhota (Rotherham United (ENG), Jordan Zemura (Udenese, Italy), Walter Musona (Simba Bhora), Daniel Msendami (Jwaneng Galaxy, Botswana), Tivonge Rushesha (Reading, ENG), Joey Phuthi (Sheffield Wednesday, ENG), Tawanda Maswanhise (Leicester City, ENG).
Forwards: Tinotenda Kadewere (Fc Nantes, FR), Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton, ENG), Douglas Mapfumo (Polokwane, SA), Tymon Machope (Simba Bhora)
