Players trickle into Zim camp

PREMIER Soccer League players, plus a handful from the dormant National First Division, have been called up to represent their countries in the Africa Cup of Nations final round, first leg qualifiers this weekend.

Zimbabwe has sent the biggest contingent with nine PSL players selected for Sunday's qualifier against Angola, although there is an injury concern over Tapuwa Kapini after the AmaZulu goalkeeper suffered an ankle injury. By yesterday, players were trickling into camp in Harare, reflecting a laissez-faire attitude to the qualifier.

Only Khama Billiat of Ajax Cape Town, Oscar Machapa of Moroka Swallows and Black Leopards' Abbas Amidu had bothered to pitch for Tuesday's training session with Takesure Chinyama and Esrom Nyandoro joining yesterday.

Zimbabwe will only likely have two days of training with a full squad, suggesting discipline is missing. African champions Zambia have selected Kennedy Mweene (Free State Stars) and David Nkausu (SuperSport United) for their match against Uganda in Ndola on Saturday, plus Kampamba Chintu, released by Bidvest Wits, and Joseph Musonda, who is waiting for permanent residence papers before signing a new contract at Golden Arrows.

Uganda have Downs back-up goalkeeper Dennis Onyango in their squad. Five PSL players are already in Kenya to join Botswana's training camp ahead of their trip to Bamako, where they face Mali on Saturday.

Mogogi Gabonamong (SuperSport) is back after skipping June's World Cup qualifiers and is joined by Joel Mogorosi (Bloemfontein Celtic), Ofentse Nato (Wits) and Platinum Stars pair Kabelo Dambe and Mogakolodi Ngele.

On the opposite side will be Jomo Cosmos defender Ousmane Berthe, in the squad that finished third at the 2012 Afcon finals earlier this year. Bay United goalkeeper Modiri Marumo is also returning after announcing his retirement from the international game. Malawi's squad for their clash away in Ghana this weekend includes Limbikani Mzava (Celtic), Harry Nyirenda (Leopards), Robert Ngambi (Platinum Stars), Peter Wadwaba (Thanda Royal Zulu), Atusaye Nyondo (SuperSport), Jimmy Zakazaka (Bay United) and Robin Ngalande from Wits.

Elias "Dominguez" Pelembe is in the Mozambique squad to play Morocco in Maputo on Sunday. and Bafana Bafana in a friendly in Nelspruit two days later.

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