ZIFA president Phillip Chiyangwa has thrown his weight behind Warriors coach Kallisto Pasuwa’s team selection ahead of next month’s Afcon 2017 finals in Gabon.

The Warriors mentor last week submitted an enlarged 31 men squad for Africa’s biggest football jamboree which quickly drew mixed reactions from fans with some voicing their displeasure at the omission of players they thought had done enough to get a place in the squad.

FC Platinum skipper Petros Mhari featured prominently in these discussions after missing out in a season he has just won the Castle Lager Goalkeeper of the Year award and also voted amongst the league’s best three players behind the Caps United duo of Hardlife Zvirekwi and Leonard Tsipa.

“These players who are in the squad are the same players who qualified the team,” said Chiyangwa.

“If he puts in new ones today because they are shining and lose people will start saying why did he change the team that has been winning all along.

“There are many more qualifiers and tournaments that will come so those in top form today will get their chance to play for the national team,” said Chiyangwa at the unveiling of a $250 000 sponsorship package for the Warriors’ Afcon campaign by NetOne.

The mobile phone network provider unveiled the sponsorship package at Meikles hotel Wednesday morning.