Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambwa has reportedly dropped Willard Katsande from the squad that will face Congo Brazzaville in the 2019 Afcon Qualifiers in March.

Katsande came out of international retirement last November and featured in 1-0 loss to Liberia in Monrovia, but his performance in the game was not convincing. The midfielder is also struggling at his club, Kaizer Chiefs where he has failed to break into the first XI of late.

According to NewsDay, an unnamed source said: “Willard has been a good servant for the Warriors over the years, but it is time he gives the new crop of players a chance. He had made a good decision by retiring from international football and should have stuck with that.

“Coming back to the Warriors was a bad idea, and he was badly exposed in the match against Liberia. We have decided to look for other players who can play better in his position.

“Remember, we included him in the team because Danny Phiri was injured, but he has recovered now and is available for selection.”

Katsande called time on his international career upon the team’s return from the Afcon finals in Gabon two years ago.

Meanwhile, Chidzambwa was expected to name the provisional squad this week for the crucial match set for the National Sports Stadium on March 24 but postponed the announcement to next week due to the absence of top Zifa officials who are away in South Africa.