CHARLES Mhlauri . . . was expected to announce squad last night

By Tinotenda Zhou

HARARE – The Warriors will on Wednesday play an international friendly match against Lesotho at Rufaro Stadium as they step up their preparations for the African Cup of Nations qualifier against Morocco next month. 

The Warriors, who need nothing short of victory to make sure that they remain in the hunt for a place at next year's finals, will group in Harare early next week to prepare for the tie. 

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has taken advantage of Wednesday as it is reserved for international friendly matches across the globe. 

In the past ZIFA have been lambasted for failing to take advantage of the days allocated for friendly matches but this time they seem to have heeded the calls by the public and national team coach Charles Mhlauri. 

Mhlauri has already hinted that that he was going to call up all the foreign-based players to make sure that he has all his players than a situation where he prepares with fringe players who never get a chance in the national team. 

When Zimbabwe lost to Malawi last year, Mhlauri blamed lack of preparation for the loss and said he would need as much time as possible with the Warriors before they meet Morocco. 

A ZIFA official who spoke to ZimOnline yesterday confirmed that they were in the process of inviting foreign-based players to be part of the friendly international. 

"Mhlauri is placing importance in the friendly match because it is one of the most important preparatory matches before the Warriors meet Morocco. The coach is taking the game seriously that we could see the likes of Benjani Mwaruwari coming in. 

"Actually we have sent out letters of invitation to most foreign based players," said the official. 

Mhlauri was expected to announce his squad late last night. - ZimOnline