Courtesy: All Africa


Futsal Squad Eye Good Start

6 April 2012

ZIMBABWE Futsal national team coach Frank Farakezi is hoping for a positive start when they host Sudan in the first leg of the World Cup preliminary round qualifiers at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex on Sunday.

Farakezi, who was recently appointed to the post, yesterday expressed confidence in the team despite having little knowledge of their opponents.

The veteran five-aside administrator has been leading the preparations for this qualifier for past month as they hope for a good take-off.

The teams will meet again in the return leg in two weeks' time in Su-dan.

"Preparations in terms of practice have been going on well and everyone is fit. We are expecting nothing short of a victory.

"We have not competed in the world cup before since we played the qualifiers in 1998 when we played the qualifiers.

"We came third and they wanted two teams of which Ghana and Egypt made it.

"I think with the talent and the calibre of players we have at the moment we have high chances of winning and if we win and progress to the next round we will meet South Africa," said Farakezi

Farakezi will be assisted in his first assignment by former Black Rhinos midfielder Max Ruza and Enoch Mutume, while Michael Mswgwiza is the team manager.

Zimbabwe last took part in international Futsal competitions in the late 1990s but the game had suffered greatly mainly due to lack of sponsorship and support from Zifa.

Farakezi, who has more than 15 years experience in five a-side football as a player, coach, referee and administrator, yesterday said he was looking forward to the task of leading Zimbabwe back on the international stage.

"Futsal is not new in this country. Of course, we haven't been very active in international competitions in recent years but we have been playing regularly in our local leagues for the past four to five seasons.

"I believe with this current crop of players we can be up to the task," said Farakezi.


Squad
Bhekizulu Dhlamini, Tafara Verengera, Cosmas Muguzembi, John Chimbiya, Bernard Chipurura, Watson Ndaba, Royal Ngwenya, Prosper Dzama, Simbi Kundasi, Clever Chivero, Blessing mpofu, Ceasemore Ndlovu, Adrian Makolwe, Tawanda Tambala, Mdudusi Ngwenya, Mthandazo Ndlovu, Babton Kanyati, Ronald Ndlovu, Vengai Mafusire, Terrence Chifamba, Cascious Mangira, Brighton Tshuma, Marshal Phiri




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com