National team skipper, Willard Katsande, has said he is 98% certain it is right to retire from national team football as he has ‘played his part’ following the Warriors early AFCON 2017 exit.

Speaking soon after arriving in the country with the Warriors squad, Katsande said: “I still love my country, I am where I am today because of Zimbabwe, I support my country.

“I have no regrets. I think regarding my international career its over for me. I need to maybe sit back and hang my boots from my international career.

“Going forward, all I can say is thank you Zimbabwe, thank you to my teammates . To the technical team, from my first coach to Callisto Pasuwa.

“I give him the credit, he changed me as a person. As a leader, he gave me the responsibility to lead the team. I have great respect for him”.

Despite having made a decision, Katsande is yet to finalize it.

“I still have to finalize it by writing to ZIFA as well if I am to retire.

“We also have to discuss a number of things and be honest with each other so that we make a decision. But for me, I am 98% clear of my decision. I feel like I have played my part . I have played with pride ,you can never doubt my commitment in national team colours. Thank you for your support through thick and thin”, he said.

Meanwhile, Pasuwa has called on Katsande to reconsider his decision to retire, as the captain was an integral member of the Warriors squad.

Quizzed about the captain and what his retirement means for the Warriors, Pasuwa said: “My thinking is maybe he has been one boy who has been a pillar in the team and he has been giving guidance to the team . . . I think he maybe needs to reconsider his decision”.

Asked whether Katsande had formally spoken to him, Pasuwa said: “He came to me, again I talked to him about his future”.

The call for Katsande to reverse retirement decision will likely be seen by critics as a sign of Pasuwa planning life after AFCON 2017 with the Warriors.