Palesa Chipendo and Moddy Muwoni, two foreign-based players have been called up for the first time to strengthen the squad of the Mighty Warriors.

Participating in their third edition of the AFCON tournament, the Mighty Warriors is seeking ways to improve their participation in the competition and has for the first time called on foreign- based players to help build up the squad. After their dismal performance at the Rio Olympics last month, Mighty Warriors coach, Shadreck Mlauzi decided to try other options and named Muwoni and Palesa Chipendo, for the first international friendly match against Egypt. However, due to logistical challenges, the pair failed to turn up for the friendly. The players will henceforth take part in other preparatory matches, « for the first time, we have included foreign-based players to broaden our base and we hope these players will bring a new dimension to our game since they have been exposed to better facilities, » Mlauzi told zifa.org.zw.

The technical team has retained the core of the 2016 Rio Olympic squad as they seek continuity and consistency before the continental showpiece. Palesa Chipendo is a mid -fielder who plays for Brighton and Hove Albion FC. Before enrolling in the professional milieu, she had played for Millie’s Cookies and Ports lade Community College in the United States and is expected to bring her experience to the team. The other player, Muwoni, expressed appreciation for being called up with the national team. “I’m excited about playing football for my country. I want to go to the Africa Cup of Nations,” she said in an interview granted to Standard Sport.