Loga now ‘calling shots’

By Ray Munyoro

Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic is now calling the shots in as far as player selection for the forthcoming CHAN tournament is concerned.
The Croat assembled a 34-man provisional squad with the help of his assistants – Lloyd Chitembwe and Tonderai Ndiraya – last month but has since dropped some of the players.
He has also roped in new faces he believes deserve a chance to wear national colours. Loga has lined up friendly matches with a number of local clubs to enable him assemble his ‘own’ team.
There has been an outcry on some of the players who were left out as well as others who initially made the grade.
Speaking to Nhau Sport, the coach said they decided to arrange friendlies with local clubs to enable them assess other players.
“I decided to play local clubs to try and pick some players. We can miss others with the potential,” he said.
The Warriors played Manica Diamonds on Monday and the coach has admitted to have identified some quality.
He personally called in Denver Mukamba into the camp after playing against Ngezi Platinum.
“I have seen some players today (Monday), even when we played CAPS United last week. We are going to play six to seven clubs and I think I’m going to pick up extra players,” he said.
Loga said some of the players he dropped failed to pick form since they are racing to be ready for the January finals to be hosted by Cameroon.
“We dropped some players who we think didn’t pick up form early as we expected, some have already picked up and the other players we are seeing seem to be up there,” he said.
The Warriors are set to play FC Platinum on Wednesday, Black Rhinos on Thursday, Dynamos on Friday, Bulawayo Chiefs on Saturday and Herentals on Sunday.
They have so far played against Ngezi, CAPS and Yadah in practice matches with Richard Hachiro, Ronald Chitiyo, Carlos Mavurume, Tafadzwa Njaravani, Munyaradzi Nyenye and Mukamba receiving calls.
Valentine Kadonzo, Valentine Musarurwa, Xolani Ndlovu, Phineas Bamusi, Collins Dhuwa and William Manondo, who were part of the initial squad, have since been dropped.
“I was looking forward to select players based on the mini -league which was scheduled for this month, so it’s failure left us with no option except to access players through practice matches,” said the Croat.
“We would have selected them based on last year’s performance but past is past,” he added. Nhau/Indaba