Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WARRIORS coach Ramon Catala has finally broken his silence on the omission of Prince Dube from the national team.
The Hardrock striker was in the provisional squad for the upcoming back-to-back 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea.
But he became a major talking point after he wasn’t included in the final team that will do duty against Equatorial Guinea, the Nzalang Nacional, in Cameroon on Thursday.
They play at the National Sports Stadium four days later for the reverse fixture.
But the Spanish gaffer said he didn’t drop one of the most prolific finishers in the country, but rather asked to be excused.
Catala revealed that the technical team wanted Dube for the recent games against Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo, but the striker asked to be left out.
“We wanted him in the squad for the games against Sierra Leone and DRC, but he asked to be excused,” said Catala.
“We also wanted him for the upcoming back-to-back games against Equatorial Guinea, but he asked to be excused again.
“It is important for people to understand this. We did not leave him out because we don’t rate him. We wanted him. He is a good player. But he asked to be excused and we have to respect that.”
Catala said the Warriors technical team has been following Dube closely and they are convinced he is one of the best strikers they want in the team.
“We have seen his last 12 to 13 matches,” said Catala.
“We know what he can do. We know his quality. He scores goals, he works hard, he is a very good striker. That is why we wanted him in the squad.
“But when a player asks to be excused, you cannot force him. We have to look at other players who are ready and willing to come and fight for the country.”
The coach, however, left the door open for a possible return in future — but with a warning.
“In future, if the situation changes, it doesn’t mean we will consider him also,” said Catala.
“It will depend on many things. It will depend on his form, his attitude, and what we need as a team at that time.”
Despite the noise around Dube’s omission Catala is confident Zimbabwe will get good results against Equatorial Guinea.
The Warriors need positive results to keep their campaign on track, and the coach believes his players are ready to deliver.
“I am confident Zimbabwe will get good results,” said Catala.
“We have a good group. The players are motivated. They understand what is at stake.
“We know Equatorial Guinea are a good team. They are organised, they are disciplined, they are dangerous. But we are Zimbabwe.
“We are playing for our country. We are playing for our fans. We must go out and fight.
“We have looked at our opponents. We know what we have to do. Now it is about execution on the pitch.”
The Warriors go into the Equatorial Guinea double-header knowing that good results will put them in a strong position.
Zimbabwe, just like their opponents are on three points after two match days, three behind Group E leaders DRC who face group anchors Sierra Leone in a back-to-back clash of their own.
The top two teams from the group will punch their tickets to the AFCON finals to be jointly hosted by Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.
Most of the Warriors squad is expected to arrive in Cameroon on Tuesday, coming from different directions.
