Windhoek - Zimbabwe has announced a strong squad comprising of six South African based players and some of its best players from the local league to face South African next Wednesday in an international friendly to be played at the Moses Mabida Stadium in Durban.
Mamelodi Sundowns skipper Esrom Nyandoro will captain the Warriors side which will also have debutant Kaizer Chiefs forward Knowledge Musona and his teammates Zhaimu Jambo and defender Thomas Sweswe.
Coach Sunday Chidzambwa who is rebuilding a team for the 2012 African Nations Cup said the tie will only be for ABSA Premiership players and Zimbabwe's top flight league, ruling out Zimbabwe's European contingent which is led by Manchester City striker Benjani Mwaruwari.
South Africa is using the match to prepare for the World Cup, a game will count on the FIFA ratings and Zimbabwe says it has adequate power to leave a mark on Bafana Bafana's preparations.
Platinum Stars goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini, Ajax Cape Town midfielder Archiford Gutu are some of the top players from the South African league. But Carlos Alberto Santana can expect the worst from Zimbabwe's own local machinery. Dynamos forwards Benjamin Marere and Curthbert Malajila as well as attacking midfielder Ashley Rambanapasi and Caps United's Tafadzwa Rusike are a quartet Bafana Bafana must watch, if they are to get maximum points.
The match is South Africa's first for the year.
The 2010 host have not scored in 385minutes and ended their 2009 17-match World Cup build up with just nine goals and four victories.
Bafana have not scored in their last two games, drawing nil all with Japan and Jamaica towards the end of 2009.
They only won one of their 11 games, of those played in 2009, and that was a victory against unknown Madagascar.
But with Santana having been recalled, it remains to be seen on Wednesday whether they will be a change of fortunes.
