Here is Zimbabwe again! For the sixth time in their history, the “Warriors”, nickname given to the players of the selection, will be present at the kick-off of an African Cup of Nations. Quite a surprise since this southern African country was the Tom Thumb of its qualifying group. But its successes against Kenya and Namibia allowed it to defy the predictions and land the second ticket behind Cameroon.
They will approach the tournament without pressure but with a spirit of revenge after a 2023 edition missed for non-sporting reasons. The Zimbabwe Federation was dissolved by the government and then suspended by FIFA over allegations of embezzlement.
Zimbabwe match schedule
The list of selected players
Goalkeepers : Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants/AFS), Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi FC/AFS), Martin Mapisa (MWOS FC/ZIM).
Defenders : Godknows Murwira (Scottland FC/Zim), Emmanuel Jalai (DYNOMAS FC/ZIM), Sea Fusire (Sheeffield Wednesday FC/ang), munashe Gangaga (FC Copenhague/Dan), gerald takwara (ssimba horts), isheanesu mauchad mauchad mauchad mauchad mauchad mauchad mauchad mauchad mauchad mauchad mauchad mauchad mauchad mauchad mauchad mauchad mauchid sc. Brandon Galloway (Plymouth Argyle/ang), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati/USA), Alec Mudu (Flint Town United/gal), Divine Lunga (Momelodi sundowns/AFS).
Midfielders: Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town FC/ANG), Jonah Fabisch (FC Erzgebirge Aue/ALL), Andrew Rinomhota (Reading FC/ANG), Prosper Padera (SJK Seinajoki/FIN), Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton/ANG), Knowledge Musona (Scottland FC/ZIM).
Attackers : Bill Antonio (Malines/BEL), Ishamael Wadi (CAPS United FC/ZIM), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell FC/ECO), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants/AFS), Prince Dube (Young Africans FC/TAN), Washington Navaya (TelOne FC/ZIM), Macauley Bonne (Maldon & Tiptree FC/ANG), Junior Zindoga (TS Galaxy/AFS), Tadiwanashe Chakuchichi (Scottland FC/ZIM).
Player to watch: Knowledge Musona
At 35, the Zimbabwean attacking midfielder has now returned home to finish his career with Scottland FC. He nonetheless remains a permanent danger for opposing defenses. Having played in the Belgian championship, and in particular Ostend where he scored 41 goals in 112 games before joining the prestigious club Anderlecht, the man with 51 caps will have the difficult task of supplying Zimbabwe’s offensive line.
