Catala casts net wide for Warriors

Isaac Mabaya

Zimpapers Sports Hub

ON his unveiling last month, Warriors coach Ramon Catala said his philosophy hinged on fluidity and ultra attack.

The Spanish gaffer loves the game and that has been evident over the past weeks where he was always attending Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, Chibuku Super Cup and Munhumutapa Cup matches.

And in his first squad selection — a provisional lineup for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers — Catala demonstrated total trust in his football philosophy, a style that will be put to the test when the Warriors take the field later this month.

Like someone who has watched local matches, Catala picked an array of talent that has now risen to the top of the game, including Scottland’s Soccer Star of the Year contender, goalkeeper Nelson Chadya, who has kept 21 clean sheets in 28 games, conceding only nine goals for the log leaders.

He has been tagged along with his solid central defence pairing of Peter Muduhwa and Kevin Moyo, while veteran Knowledge Musona, Emmanuel Jalai and Abubakar Moffat have also been selected, making the champions the team with the most players in the initial squad.

Red-hot Amazulu striker Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya, who has scored seven goals in six games in the South African league, was a sure pick, and Catala has duly included him alongside TS Galaxy forward Junior Zindoga, Mamelodi Sundowns’ Devine Lunga, Daniel Msendami of Orlando Pirates, as well as goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze.

But the most interesting pick is surely Liverpool prodigy Isaac Mabaya, who can add flair to the team.

Dynamos are fighting hard this season and running for a place in the top four, but there isn’t much individual quality in their squad. For the first time in many years, the Glamour Boys don’t have a player in the Warriors team.

Their biggest rivals, CAPS United and Highlanders, have a player each, with winger Ishmael Wadi and Mongameli Tshuma included.

There is no place for hard-tackling defender Gerald Takwara of Hardrock and United States-based Teenage Hadebe.

The Warriors’ first-choice goalkeeper in recent matches, Washington Arubi of CAPS United, is out injured and yesterday missed the Harare Derby against Dynamos.

“I think it’s a really good squad that shows some element of continuity. That is what is needed, we hope and trust the team will have a bright start in this AFCON campaign,” said local football pundit Dave Simba.

His sentiments were echoed by another local football enthusiast, Muziwethu Hadebe.

“A good team, a good pick from the coaches. Now it’s the time for everyone to give the Warriors all the needed support. The team has experienced and youthful players. Let the boys go and fight,” said Hadebe

For Catala, the challenge will now be turning that mixture into a team capable of competing against two formidable opponents.

The opening qualifiers will offer Zimbabwe’s new coach his first competitive opportunity to put his footballing philosophy into practice.

Friendly matches can provide room for experimentation, but competitive football demands results.

Catala will have to make some difficult decisions before the final squads are confirmed, with every player in the provisional group knowing that inclusion is only the beginning.

The coach will be looking closely at form, fitness, tactical suitability and how quickly his players can adapt to his methods.

The presence of a significant number of overseas-based players should also give Catala an interesting foundation to work with. Zimbabwe’s diaspora has increasingly become an important source of talent for the national team, and the new coach appears willing to utilise that pool.

At the same time, the inclusion of local and less-established players ensures that the door remains open for those looking to force their way into the Warriors picture.

The first two qualifiers will ultimately provide the answers.

The 29 names represent the beginning of Catala’s Warriors project, but the real work starts when the players assemble and preparations intensify.

Zimbabwe are in Group E of the qualifiers alongside Equatorial Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sierra Leone, with the top two from the pool automatically qualifying for the finals to be co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.

The Warriors open their bid for qualification against the Lone Stars of Sierra Leone in Casablanca, Morocco, on September 24 before hosting the DRC at the National Sports Stadium four days later.

There is no homologated stadium in Sierra Leone and the Warriors will head to Casablanca instead of Freetown for their opening encounter.

The “neutral” venue can work in favour of Zimbabwe, who will be spared of the raucous crowd that would otherwise be intimidating if the Lone Stars were playing in the comfort of their home.

And four days later, the Warriors fans will get to enjoy being at home for the first time in almost five years as the National Sports Stadium is now available following a partial homologation by CAF.

Less than 25 000 spectators will be allowed in the context of the categorised clearance, but it is still something that will boost the team when they host the DRC.

In a statement after the release of the squad yesterday, ZIFA said: “We are happy with all the processes that Coach Catala and his assistants went through in trying to come up with a balanced squad.

“As ZIFA, we are here to give it all our support and ensure that we can help in every means possible the coach and the squad to attain qualification for the AFCON 2027 finals.

“The logistics of the campaign will be announced in due course so that the nation stays posted. We mean the start of the camping dates and the location of the camps, especially for the first game in Morocco . . .”

Warriors provisional squad

Goalkeepers