Another injury blow for Warriors

THE Warriors have suffered another injury blow with striker Tino Kadewere being the latest to be ruled out of their 2025 Afcon Qualifiers against Kenya and Cameron.

Kadewere’s injury comes after Brandon Galloway has also been ruled out of the upcoming two matches.

Manica Diamonds defender, Farai Banda has been added to the initial Warriors squad.

Zifa media yesterday revealed that Kadewere had suffered a hamstring injury.

“Kadewere has been ruled out after picking up an injury over the weekend. Farai Banda (Manica Diamonds) has been called up to the squad and leaves for Uganda today (yesterday) with Teenage Hadebe. The rest of the players called up for camp have arrived in Kampala except for Marshall Munetsi, Munashe Garananga and Jordan Zemura who will arrive tomorrow morning (today), The three were involved in games for their clubs on Sunday,” Zifa said.

Zimbabwe open their Group J qualifying campaign with a clash against Kenya on Friday before facing Cameroon four days later.

Both games will be played at the Mandela National Stadium in Uganda as Kenya and Zimbabwe do not have Caf-certified stadiums to host international matches.

Zimbabwe and Kenya have met four times since 2008 and the Warriors have never won against the East Africans.

Their recent meeting was in July at the Cosafa Cup in South Africa where the Harambee Stars triumphed 2-0. Before that, the two nations clashed in a friendly match in Malawi in March and Kenya won 3-1.The Warriors also failed to beat Kenya in back-to-back World Cup qualifiers in 2008.Kenya beat Zimbabwe 2-0 in Nairobi on June 14, 2008 before holding the Warriors to a goalless draw at Rufaro Stadium a week later.

The battle at the Mandela National Stadium on Friday could prove tricky for the Warriors. Zimbabwe will be away to Namibia on October 7 before hosting the Brave Warriors on October 15 at a venue to be announced.

Zifa have set gate prices for their home match with the VVIP pegged at 100 000 Shillings (US$27), VIP 50 000 Shillings (US$14) and Rest of Ground 15 000 Shillings (US$4).US$1 is worth 3 722 Shillings.

Warriors Squad

Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi, Marley Tavaziva, Donovan Bernard

Defenders: Gerald Takwara, Munashe Garananga, Andrew Mbeba, Godknows Murwira, Emmanuel Jalai, Teenage Hadebe, Farai Banda.

Midfielders: Marshall Munetsi, Andy Rinomhota, Jordan Zemura, Walter Musona, Daniel Msendami, Brian Banda, , Tawanda Maswanhise, Tawanda Chirewa, Richard Hachiro, Khama Billiat.

Strikers: Tino Kadewere, Douglas Mapfumo, Prince Dube, Obriel Chirinda. – @innocentskizoe.