WARRIORS coach Kallisto Pasuwa says foreign based players are not guaranteed a ticket to the Afcon finals and sees Saturday’s international friendly against Zambia as important to his men’s preparations for the 2017 Afcon finals.

Pasuwa will not have the pleasure of fielding foreign based players, who are likely to form the bulk of the squad that will travel to Gabon in January next year, because Saturday’s friendly falls outside the FIFA international break.

The record breaking former Dynamos gaffer named a 20-man squad made up of only locally based players Thursday afternoon.

The foreign based stars are only expected for the Tanzania friendly which will be played on November 13 at the National Sports.

“Remember we have been using some of these local players even in the qualifiers,” Pasuwa told a news conference at the squad announcement this afternoon.

“This is one game to strengthen them ahead of future assignments.

“If they impress us they will be able to travel and play at the finals because it’s not like we will give preference to foreign based players simply because they play abroad,” he said.

Pasuwa said he would have loved to also call on Ngezi Platinum and FC Platinum players but failed to do so as they will be playing in the Chibuku Super Cup on the same day.

“Our wish was to have all guys doing well locally to participate in this match but unfortunately we can’t because of that (Chibuku final,” said Pasuwa.