The Zimbabwe national team is set to start camp on the 26th of December as preparations for AFCON 2017 get underway.
Warriors manager Sheriff Mussa says most of the foreign based playerS are only going to be released by their respective clubs on the 24th of December so camp will begin on the 26th with the first training session set for the 27th of December.
A Warriors team of mostly locally based players will take on the Ivory Coast on the the 26th of December after the foreign based contingent could not make it in time for match. The18 member squad will leave the country tomorrow.
Meanwhile Callisto Pasuwa says he is hopeful the AFCON squad will be able to play more friendlies as they build up to the tournament. A friendly against Cameroon on the 10th of January has been scheduled while another with AFCON hosts Gabon is yet to be confirmed according to Pasuwa.
Squad for Ivory Coast friendly:
Goalkeepers
Donovan Bernard (How Mine); Tatenda Mkuruva (Dynamos)
Defenders
Elisha Muroiwa (Dynamos); Hardlife Zvirekwi (Caps United); Ronald Pfumbidzayi (Caps United); Farai Madhanaga (Harare City); Lawrence Mhlanga (Chicken Inn); Teenage Hadebe (Chicken Inn); Tendai Ndlovu (Highlanders) Liberty Chakoroma (Ngezi Platinum)
Midfielders
Ronald Chitiyo (Harare City); Marshall Mudehwe (FC Platinum); Walter Musona (FC Platinum); Talent Chawapiwa (ZPC Kariba); Malvin Gaki (Triangle); Raphael Kutinyu (Chicken Inn)
Strikers
Pritchard Mpelele (Hwange); Tinotenda Kadewere (Djurgardens IF)