KHAMA Billiat led a group of locally-based Warriors players who flew out to Uganda ahead of next week's Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against Kenya and Cameroon.
Zimbabwe open their Group J qualifying campaign with a clash against Kenya on Friday in a game they will be the away side before "hosting" the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon four days later.
Both games will be played at the Mandela Stadium in Uganda as Kenya and Zimbabwe do not have Caf-certified stadiums to host international matches.
An 18-member delegation, comprising nine locally-based players and 10 members of the technical team fronted by new Warriors coach Michael Nees, was pictured at the Robert Mugabe International Airport shortly before their departure for Kampala late yesterday afternoon.
There was no Sharif Mussa and Nick Munyonga in the travelling delegation after the two were controversially dropped by the association amid revelations that they were caught up in a nasty fight between the Zifa normalisation committee and the association's secretariat.
The secretariat, led by general secretary Yvonne Manwa, a fortnight ago appointed Mussa and Munyonga as the Warriors general manager and team doctor, respectively.
That has since been reversed by the normalisation committee which reinstated Clemence Matawu to replace Mussa while Bulawayo Chiefs team doctor Idzai Muzondo returns in place of Munyonga.
Matawu and Muzondo boarded the plane yesterday.
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Billiat, who came out of international retirement early this week and was immediately drafted into the squad as a late inclusion for the two qualifiers, was all smiles and looked at home among his Warriors peers who included Walter Musona, Brian Banda, Andrew Mbeba, Obriel Chirinda, Richard Hachiro, Godknows Murwira, Emmanuel Jalai and goalkeeper Benard Donovan.
Murwira made it in time for departure, after arriving from Chisumbanje where he captained his team to a 2-2 draw against Greenfuel on Saturday. He, however, could not make it for the pre-departure group photo.
Jalai and Donovan had to miss their clubs' league matches yesterday for them to make the trip.
The locally-based players will link up with their foreign-based counterparts in the Uganda capital.
The foreign-based contingent are expected to start arriving in Kampala today after their weekend matches with their different clubs across the world.
Plymouth Argyle defender Brendan Galloway who was initially named in the 23-member squad, has since been ruled out of the trip due to a hamstring problem.
Warriors squad
Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi, Marley Tavaziva, Donovan Bernard
Defenders: Gerald Takwara, Munashe Garananga, Andrew Mbeba, Godknows Murwira, Emmanuel Jalai, Teenage Hadebe.
Midfielders: Marshall Munetsi, Andy Rinomhota, Jordan Zemura, Walter Musona, Daniel Msendami, Brian Banda, Tawanda Maswanhise, Tawanda Chirewa, Richard Hachiro, Khama Billiat.
Strikers: Tino Kadewere, Douglas Mapfumo, Prince Dube, Obriel Chirinda.
