Mapeza Ropes In Chimwemwe, Takwara

Tadious Manyepo

WARRIORS coach Norman Mapeza has added the duo of defender Takudzwa Chimwemwe and utility Gerald Takwara to the fold ahead of the return leg of the back-to-back 2022 World Cup qualifier against Ghana on Tuesday.

The match will be played at the National Sports Stadium at 3pm.

Right-back Tendayi Darikwa will not be part of the action tomorrow after he asked to be excused after the 1-3 defeat by the same opponents in Cape Coast on Saturday and has since returned to his base in England.

ZIFA spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela confirmed the development.

“Yes, Darikwa has gone back to England while the coach has added Chimwemwe and Takwara to the team,” said Gwesela.

And Mapeza will be hoping talisman Khama Billiat who missed Saturday’s game through suspension will provide the missing link tomorrow.

Billiat travelled with the rest of the squad to Ghana.

Chimwemwe has been part of the team since March when Zimbabwe qualified for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations after posting a 1-0 away win over Botswana.

He also played the entire dead rubber tie against Zambia in the same campaign as Darikwa, who is the regular for the position could n0t travel due Covid-19 restrictions.

Chimwemwe also played in the opening two 2022 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Ethiopia but was overlooked for the away tie against Ghana.

Takwara, on the other hand last featured for the Warriors at the 2017 Cosafa tournament and will be hoping to make an impression under his former FC Platinum coach Mapeza.