Zimbabwe coach Sunday Chidzambwa has named 32-man provisional squad for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations finals.
The duo of Willard Katsande or Adam Chicksen are among the high profile names missing in the squad list that has a huge chunk of players whom Chidzambwa called during the tournaments qualification stages.
Katsande is being omitted despite having a splendid season with South Africa giants Kaizer Chiefs while Chicksen is understood to still be recuperating from an injury setback that has forced him to undergo surgery.
Cape Umoya’s defender Eric Chipeta is another player to miss out as is goalkeeper Donovan Benard.
Knowledge Musona, Khama Billiat and Marshall Munetsi are some of the star names in the squad that also has veteran forward Nyasha Mushekwi.
However, there was one surprise inclusion in the form of Thabani Kamusoko of Dar Young Africans.
The Warriors will play Super Eagles in a pre-Afcon friendly on June 8 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Nigeria.
Zimbabwe are in Group A, which also comprises hosts Egypt, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Warriors will open their campaign with what appears a tough match against hosts in the tournament opener on June 21, before playing Uganda five days later.
They will conclude their group matches with a tricky match against the DRC on June 30.
Zimbabwe 34-man preliminary squad:
Goalkeepers:
George Chigova (Polokwane City), Edmore Sibanda (Witbank spurs), Elvis Chipezeze (Baroka), Talbert Shumba (Chapungu).
Defenders:
Dennis Dauda (Lusaka Dynamos), Lawrence Mhlanga (FC Platinum), Jimmy Dzingai (Power Dynamos), Byron Madzokere (Yadah Stars), Alec Mudimu (CEFN Druids), Teenage Hadebe (Kaizer Chiefs), Divine Lunga (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Ronald Pfumbidzai (Bloemfontein Celtic), Tendai Darikwa (Nottingham Forest).
Midfielders:
Danny Phiri (Lamontiville Golden Arrows), Marshall Munetsi (Orlando Pirates), Marvelous Nakamba (Club Brugge KV), Butholezwe Ncube (Amazulu), Tafadzwa Kutinyu (Azam), Ovidy Karuru (Amazulu), Khama Billiat (Kaizer Chiefs), Kudakwashe Mahachi (Orlando Pirates), Tafadzwa Rusike (Zanaco), Richard Hachiro (Herentals), Talent Chawapihwa (Amazulu), Leeroy Mavunga (Yadah Stars), Knowledge Musona (RSC Anderlecht), Thabani Kamusoko (Young Africans SC), Rodwell Chinyengetere (Baroka FC).
Strikers:
Nyasha Mushekwi (Dalian Yifang), Walter Musona (Polokwane City), Tinotenda Kadewere (Le Havre Athletic Club), Knox Mutizwa (Lamontiville Golden Arrows), Admiral Muskwe (Leicester City).
